Staff Reports
In a spectacular display of incompetence, the Secret Service has been put under the proverbial microscope after a major breach in security during a Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. On July 13, the former president was subjected to a significant risk from Thomas Matthew Crooks, who had managed to get himself situated on the roof of a nearby building, armed and ostensibly ready for disaster. The fact that Crooks was able to perch just a stone’s throw away from the rally stage—less than 200 yards—is a glaring black mark against an agency tasked with safeguarding the nation’s leaders.
What’s come to light since this debacle is as laughably sad as it is alarming. The Secret Service’s acting director, Ronald Rowe, had the audacity to stand before the press and admit the agency’s failures outright. Not only did the counter-sniper teams apparently not know Crooks was armed until he opened fire, but they also lacked the basic communication tools necessary to receive vital warnings from local law enforcement. A resident of Pennsylvania, armed with nothing but a rifle and a sense of mischief, showcased how pathetically unprepared the Secret Service was. So much for being the elite protectors of democracy.
New Transcripts Reveal a Total Communications Breakdown During Trump Assassination Attempt https://t.co/Uw4sUhWFkA
— Michael J. Fell (@MichaelJFell) August 5, 2024
The chaos that ensued casts serious doubt on how the Secret Service operates. While local officers were sending urgent updates over the radio regarding a “younger white male, long hair” who had a “range finder” aimed at the stage, the Secret Service was tragically off in its own little world, stationed a bizarre distance away without any way to hear those crucial communications. This is like playing a game of telephone, but with the fate of a former president hanging in the balance—who can take this agency seriously after witnessing such disarray?
Even after local law enforcement confirmed Crooks was armed, their situation remained a farce. Officers on the ground lost sight of him for a staggering 20 minutes, during which he was able to prepare for a deadly assault on a political figure. While locals were busy trying to figure out Crooks’ shirt color rather than his intentions, he managed to conceal himself in a way that highlighted the agency’s utter failure to secure an area with a clear threat. It seems the only thing Crooks didn’t escalate that day was his fashion sense.
This incident has resulted in calls, perhaps justified, for serious reforms within the Secret Service. As investigations continue, it’s painfully obvious that this is not just a bad day at the office but an emblem of a potentially systemic problem. Instead of being lauded as heroes, the Agency’s past few weeks have resembled more of a reality show on incompetence. For conservatives who value national security and proper conduct, this appalling event is simply unacceptable. If anything can unite Americans right now, it’s certainly the concern over an agency that gambled and lost when it came to protecting a former president.
