Trump Assassination Attempt Exposes Security Lapses Under Secret Service Director Cheatle
House Speaker Calls for Cheatle’s Resignation
By Richard Luthmann and Frankie Pressman with John Downey
Former President Donald Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. The shocking attack, which killed a retired fire chief and injured two others, has put a spotlight on significant security lapses within the Secret Service under the leadership of Director Kimberly Cheatle.
Former President Trump Attacked
The rally at Butler Farm Show Grounds was in full swing when gunfire erupted, sending the crowd into a state of shock and panic. Trump, speaking to his supporters, was struck by a bullet that grazed his ear, causing him to bleed.
The gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired several shots from a rooftop approximately 400 feet away from the stage. In a display of remarkable bravery, Secret Service agents quickly surrounded Trump, shielding him with their bodies and rushing him off the stage as the crowd ducked for cover.
Retired fire chief Corey Comperatore, a hero who was killed in the attack while protecting his family and others in the crowd, is a stark reminder of the human cost of such attacks. Two other attendees, 57-year-old David Dutch of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and 74-year-old James Copenhaver of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, were injured and are now in stable condition. Crooks was shot dead by Secret Service snipers moments after he opened fire.
Videos from the rally captured the chaotic scene. President Trump, initially unaware of the severity of his injury, instinctively ducked as the first shots rang out. Secret Service agents immediately surrounded him, shielding him with their bodies and ushering him off the stage. Rally attendees were seen dropping to the ground and taking cover as the snipers returned fire.
The attack on Trump marks a significant historical event, being the first time in over 40 years that a current or former U.S. president has been shot. This incident adds to the historical pattern of politically motivated violence in the United States, highlighting the ongoing threats faced by public figures.
Security Lapses Under Director Cheatle Questioned
Kimberly Cheatle, who took the helm of the Secret Service in September 2022, has a long history with the agency. She served in the Secret Service for nearly three decades before leaving in 2019 to work as PepsiCo’s senior director of global security. During her tenure in the Secret Service, she served on then-Vice President Joe Biden’s detail. She was part of the team that evacuated Vice President Dick Cheney during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Upon her return to the Secret Service, Cheatle introduced a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiative, setting a goal for women to make up 30 percent of the agency’s recruits by 2030. Currently, women represent 24 percent of the Secret Service’s ranks. Cheatle has been a vocal advocate for increasing diversity within the agency, aiming to attract diverse candidates and ensure equal opportunities for all personnel.
However, the Trump assassination attempt has brought intense scrutiny upon the Secret Service and Director Cheatle. Critics argue that the security failures leading to the attack were systemic and preventable. An exhaustive list of the Secret Service's failures includes:
Inadequate Perimeter Security: The rooftop Crooks fired was not adequately secured. Despite being within 400 feet of the stage, the building was left accessible, allowing the gunman to position himself unnoticed.
Delayed Response to Warnings: Several rally attendees noticed Crooks acting suspiciously near the venue and reported him to local law enforcement. However, there was a significant delay in the response, allowing Crooks to climb onto the rooftop and prepare his attack.
Insufficient Communication: There appeared to be a breakdown in communication between the Secret Service and local law enforcement. Despite alerts about Crooks’ suspicious behavior, coordination between the agencies was lacking, leading to a delayed and ineffective response.
Failure to Identify and Neutralize the Threat: Secret Service snipers positioned on nearby rooftops failed to identify Crooks before he fired. Their delayed reaction allowed Crooks to get multiple shots off, hitting Trump and other victims.
Lack of Adequate Resources: Former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino criticized the agency for not increasing the security footprint around Trump despite repeated requests. This lack of resources left critical vulnerabilities unaddressed.
Poor Advance Planning: The Secret Service's advance team failed to secure all potential vantage points from which an attack could be launched. This oversight allowed Crooks to exploit a weakness in the security plan.
Inadequate Training and Preparedness: The response from the Secret Service agents, while swift after the shooting began, highlighted potential gaps in training and preparedness for such scenarios.
Introduction of DEI Initiatives: The agency's focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has sparked criticism. Prominent conservatives and online commentators have claimed that hiring female agents as part of DEI initiatives has compromised the agency’s effectiveness. Critics argue that these initiatives have led to hiring less qualified candidates based on gender rather than merit.
The Secret Service’s apparent failures have led to blunt words by many security professionals.
“It was a shit show. President Trump is lucky to have left alive. Everyone responsible for the failures that day should do the right thing for this country and resign immediately,” said John Downey, a retired NYPD Sergeant who is now a principal at the NYC-based Stallion S & I, LLC, a firm specializing in security and investigations.
Downey, who had experience as part of NYPD advance teams for mayoral and dignitary field visits, says the Secret Service failed at the most basic levels.
“Security 101 is a reconnaissance of the area before an event. This advance team should be immediately terminated. They allowed a high-ground position little more than a football field from the President’s position to remain exposed and unaccounted for. Secret Service snipers are trained at 1,000 yards. So, you must expect enemy snipers to be viable from at least that distance,” Downey said.
Adam Hamon, former SAS and the principal of Connecticut-based Regiment Security, agrees. “The striking point to my mind is ‘where was the air support?’ There were no helicopters or drones actively deployed.”
Hamon echoes the point that proper surveillance is essential.
“Today’s technology allows for a real-time assessment of conditions and relay of information. We actively employ these measures commercially, and the Secret Service undoubtedly has these capabilities. Why they were not deployed is a major question,” Hamon said.
The attack has also led to harsh criticism of several female Secret Service agents who were part of Trump’s close protection detail. Prominent commentators have claimed that these agents were unfit for duty due to their size, weight, and perceived inability to handle their firearms.
Chaya Raichik, who runs “the Libs of TikTok,” posted a video showing a female agent struggling with her holster during the chaos, captioned, “DEI hire?” The video and follow-up posts have garnered millions of views and sparked widespread debate about diversity initiatives within the Secret Service.
Conservative commentator Benny Johnson called the situation an "absolute humiliation for this gaggle of female Secret Service Agents," further claiming, "DEI Secret Service make Presidents LESS Safe."
This sentiment has been echoed by hundreds of similar posts, some drawing millions of views, accusing DEI initiatives of compromising security.
Future Implications
The assassination attempt on Trump has significant implications for future security measures and the political climate in the United States. The incident has already sparked calls for a thorough review of Secret Service protocols and an investigation into the security failures that allowed the attack.
Increased Security for Political Figures: The Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies will need to reassess and potentially overhaul their security measures for protecting current and former presidents. This includes enhancing perimeter security, improving coordination with local law enforcement, and securing all potential vantage points.
Congressional Investigation: Lawmakers, including Sen. Josh Hawley and House Speaker Mike Johnson, called for a full-scale congressional investigation into the security failures. Speaker Johnson formed a special task force within the House of Representatives to investigate the assassination attempt on President Trump, saying, “We need answers for these shocking security failures.” This investigation will likely lead to recommendations for changes in Secret Service protocols, personnel changes, and increased funding for the agency.
Heightened Political Tensions: The attack has further polarized a divided nation. Supporters of Trump and some media observers argue that the rhetoric from the Left contributed to the attack.
Impact on the 2024 Presidential Campaign: The assassination attempt has already impacted the 2024 presidential campaign. Candidate security will be a top priority, and the Secret Service must address the vulnerabilities the attack exposed. The incident has also galvanized Trump's supporters, who see the attack as further evidence of the threats he faces.
Review of Secret Service Leadership: Director Kimberly Cheatle’s leadership will be intensely scrutinized. There are already calls for her resignation by House Speaker Mike Johnson. The preliminary investigation details significant lapses in oversight, including a failure to secure the sniper’s position because a “pitched roof” could injure agents. "Look, I think it's inexcusable," Johnson said. "Just beyond the classified parts, the things that we all understand, her explanation to the media that there was a slant on the roof, so there was safety concern, it doesn't wash." The Secret Service must demonstrate that it can effectively protect political figures and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The attack on Trump is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by public figures and the critical importance of robust security measures. Since July 13th, Independent Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has received Secret Service protection.
Trump’s details have been significantly augmented, both in response to the failed assassination and intelligence pointing to an Iran-linked plot to kill the 45th President in retaliation for the 2020 U.S. strike killing Qasem Soleimani, the top general in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Iran denies the plot.
As the investigation unfolds, it will be crucial for the Secret Service to address the failures that led to this incident and implement changes to ensure the safety of all protectees. It will be equally crucial for our leaders to reestablish accountability and terminate those responsible for this deadly lapse.
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