Several U.S. Secret Service agents have been suspended amid an ongoing investigation into the assassination attempt on Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Among those placed on leave is the head of the Pittsburgh field office. The incident, which occurred on July 13, involved a gunman named Thomas Matthew Crooks, who managed to scale a nearby building and fire eight shots at Trump, grazing his ear. The attack resulted in the death of one man in the crowd and injuries to two others.
Despite being on law enforcement’s radar, Crooks was able to evade both local police and the Secret Service, highlighting significant security failures. Videos from the event show Crooks walking around the fairgrounds, positioning himself on the roof just a few hundred yards from Trump, and even flying a drone over the area. These breaches have raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of the security measures in place at the rally.
Following the assassination attempt, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned amid growing criticism and calls for her to step down. The Secret Service’s internal affairs department is currently conducting its own investigation, separate from the Congressional inquiry into the events in Butler. The agency is under intense scrutiny to determine how such a significant security lapse occurred.
In the wake of the incident, Trump has resumed holding outdoor events, including a recent rally in North Carolina, where he spoke from behind bulletproof glass. The investigation continues as the Secret Service faces pressure to address and rectify the failures that led to the near-tragedy.
