Former President Donald Trump has revealed he recently met with Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to discuss the security failures that allowed a would-be assassin to get within striking distance at a rally. This shocking event took place at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman managed to fire several shots, injuring Trump and resulting in the death of a rally attendee.
Trump recounted the harrowing incident, describing how he felt a sharp pain in his ear and realized he had been shot. "There was blood pouring everywhere," Trump said, emphasizing that he felt safe knowing "God was on my side". The quick reaction of the Secret Service ultimately neutralized the gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, but not before he fired eight shots from a rooftop about 140 meters away
🚨🚨 Whistleblowers tell me that MOST of Trump’s security detail working the event last Saturday were not even Secret Service. DHS assigned unprepared and inexperienced personnel 👇 pic.twitter.com/eo4jNmJWFT
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) July 19, 2024
The aftermath of the assassination attempt has placed significant scrutiny on the Secret Service's operational protocols. Cheatle, appointed by President Joe Biden in 2022, has faced calls from top Republicans to resign. Despite this pressure, she has taken full responsibility for the incident, stating, "The buck stops with me".
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced an independent review of the security breach, calling it a "failure" and highlighting the need for corrective actions to prevent future incidents. The investigation will examine the decisions made by the Secret Service and local law enforcement, especially the choice to leave the warehouse rooftop, which provided the shooter with a clear line of sight to the stage, under local police control.
.@dbongino on newly-resigned Secret Service Director: “This is about to get so much worse…this is not over for Kim Cheatle."
Bongino says a documentation trail exists regarding requested additional resources denied to Trump’s security detail, and Cheatle will be unable to hide… pic.twitter.com/bD2IxEHgzD
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) July 23, 2024
Trump, who continues to campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, appeared at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee with a bandage over his ear, receiving a hero's welcome. He remains undeterred by the attempt on his life, asserting that he stands before his supporters "only by the grace of almighty God".
In the wake of the shooting, further details have emerged about the assailant. Congressman Michael Waltz revealed that Crooks had three encrypted overseas accounts, suggesting a possible link to an Iranian plot against Trump. This claim underscores the potential broader implications of the attack and the complexities involved in the ongoing investigation.
The FBI is also deeply involved, treating the case as potential domestic terrorism. They have successfully accessed Crooks' electronic devices and are analyzing the data to determine a motive. Meanwhile, Cheatle is scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee to address lawmakers' concerns and outline the steps being taken to enhance security for high-profile figures.
As the investigation continues, the incident has reignited discussions about the safety of political figures and the adequacy of current protective measures, with both Trump and President Biden calling for unity in the face of such threats.
