Staff Reports
The recent report from the Senate has shed light on the alarming security breakdowns surrounding the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, and surprise, surprise—it’s the Secret Service that is under fire. The 94-page preliminary report, courtesy of a joint effort between the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, paints a troubling picture that should give every conservative reason to raise an eyebrow.
According to the report, the failures at the Secret Service were so extensive they could make a sitcom about ineptitude look like a well-oiled machine. With the Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Gary Peters, outlining the myriad of preventable errors, one can’t help but chuckle at the irony; the same agency that is supposed to be the embodiment of security was about as effective as a screen door on a submarine. The report details how the agency ignored “credible intelligence” about a threat ahead of Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania, despite their decision to deploy countersnipers—a move that is rather unusual for a non-nominee presidential rally.
Breaking: In blistering report, Senate panel says Secret Service could have prevented first Trump assassination attempt https://t.co/Cinkn1euIj
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) September 25, 2024
While the Secret Service had reason to be on high alert, a staggering majority of its personnel, including top brass, were blissfully unaware of any impending danger. In a case that rivals a Monty Python skit, only two agents knew of the credible threat prior to the rally, and only one of them knew the classified details. It’s mind-boggling that with all the recent crises the Secret Service has faced, they’d still manage to drop the ball like a hot potato in a kindergarten class.
Additionally, local law enforcement expressed grave concerns about their inability to secure the event. Just 48 hours before the rally, they warned the Secret Service about their staffing shortfall. Yet, not only did the Secret Service ignore these warnings, but they also contradicted local officials about what was communicated. This leads one to wonder if either side of the equation decided that an episode of “Cops” was a better plan for safeguarding the former President than actually having a solid security strategy.
When the actual assassination attempt occurred, the layers of incompetence only deepened. Agents were reportedly blind to the gunman’s actions until mere moments before shots rang out. In a classic case of “you had one job,” some agents didn’t even receive the vital information about a suspicious individual who was allegedly tailing Trump. It’s almost as if they had their heads buried in the sand—or perhaps they were too busy playing solitaire on their malfunctioning radios, which, by the way, were notorious for failing at critical moments. One agent hilariously gave his working radio to another agent because his own equipment didn’t function, making one question who was responsible for this circus act.
In the tech realm, the Secret Service was equally dismal. It turns out their drone defense systems were down and blame was passed around like a hot potato. An agent in charge of these systems had requested additional equipment numerous times but was denied at every turn. It’s a classic case of the government failing to provide the resources needed to protect someone they are tasked with securing. So, while Trump enjoyed the spotlight at his rally, the Secret Service apparently fumbled with both their radios and their responsibilities, letting a dangerous situation unfold right in front of them.
This entire situation should serve as a wake-up call to those who think that our security agencies are not prone to serious shortcomings. With such glaring lapses in the protection of a former president, it isn’t just politics as usual. It raises profound questions about accountability. Perhaps the Secret Service needs to reassess its priorities and remember that protecting American leaders shouldn’t feel like a reality show gone awry.
