Security at the July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has been under scrutiny, with serious concerns about how the suspect–20-year-old Thomas Crooks–was able to access a nearby rooftop with a direct line of sight to where Trump was speaking.
Washington: The U.S. Secret Service has suspended six agents over “failures” related to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year, ABC News reported Wednesday. The suspensions come just days before the anniversary of the July 13, 2024, shooting, in which Trump was wounded in the ear.
According to sources, the suspended personnel held roles ranging from supervisors to line agents.
Matt Quinn, Deputy Director of the Secret Service, told CBS News the agents received suspensions lasting between 10 and 42 days as part of a federally mandated disciplinary process.
“We’re not going to fire our way out of this,” Quinn said. “We’re focusing on the root causes and correcting the failures that led to this breach.”
After serving their suspensions, the agents were reassigned to restricted or lower-responsibility duties, he added.
“The Secret Service is fully accountable for what happened in Butler,” Quinn stated. “That was a clear operational failure, and we are committed to making sure it never happens again.”
The shooting at the Butler rally has faced intense scrutiny, particularly over how the gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was able to access a rooftop with a clear view of Trump’s position.
The attack claimed the life of Corey Comperatore, a firefighter who was attending the rally, and injured two others. Then-Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned 10 days later.
A Department of Homeland Security review later identified multiple law enforcement failures that left Trump exposed.
“The Secret Service is no longer operating at the elite level its mission requires,” the report concluded. “It has grown bureaucratic, complacent, and stagnant, despite rising threats and evolving technology.”
