Secret Service admits 'mission failure' in July Trump shooting
USA TodaySep 16
Secret Service Details Failures Ahead of First Trump Assassination Attempt
Above: US Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe Jr. speaks during a press conference in Washington, DC, on September 20, 2024. Image copyright: Ben Curtis/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
A preliminary report released by the US Secret Service on Friday laid out a raft of failures that led up to the July 13 assassination attempt of former Pres. Donald Trump.
The 2024 Republican candidate for president was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, before shots rang out and he was wounded in the ear. A man in the crowd was killed, while several others were injured.
The Spin
Narrative A
Unfortunately, as pointed out by the agency's acting director, there was a certain level of complacency that arose in the Secret Service's ranks. Recognizing these failures, however, is the first step in ensuring they never happen again.
Narrative B
There were a number of monumental security lapses, including officers and Secret Service agents communicating via mobile phones and on differing radio channels, leading to vital information being siloed. There needs to be serious repercussions, not merely lip service, for those responsible.