Majority of the members of former President Donald Trump's security detail on July 13 were not bona fide members of the Secret Service, according to whistleblowers.
These whistleblowers with "direct knowledge" of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) handling of the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania came forward to U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO). They alleged that the rally was a "loose" security event featuring personnel drawn from a different wing of DHS who weren't trained for such an event.
"Whistleblower allegations suggest the majority of DHS officials were not in fact [Secret Service] agents but instead drawn from the department's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). This is especially concerning given that HSI agents were unfamiliar with standard protocols typically used at these types of events, according to the allegations," Hawley wrote in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. (Related: Trump calls for RFK Jr. to receive Secret Service protection.)
Hawley, a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has also asked the head of DHS to provide information about staffing and security gaps at the Trump rally.
"For example, detection canines were not used to monitor entry and detect threats in the usual manner. Individuals without proper designations were able to gain access to backstage areas," Hawley wrote. Other lapses in security protocol included a lack of personnel stationed around the security perimeter and an inadequately enforced buffer zone around the podium.
GOP lawmakers grill Secret Service over assassination attempt against Trump
Twenty-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks fired bullets into the crowd on July 13, killing retired fireman Corey Comperatore and wounding two others. He failed to kill Trump, only grazing his right year. Law enforcement later neutralized Crooks.
Trump's fist pump as he walked off the stage accompanied by Secret Service agents instantly became an iconic moment in American history. But the incident also put the Secret Service under scrutiny.
Kimberly Cheatle, who recently resigned as Secret Service director, has been criticized over the laundry list of mistakes that happened during the rally, including the decision not to place agents on the rooftop where Crooks opened fire. According to her, the sloped roof presented a safety hazard to agents.
"We are committed to better understanding what happened before, during, and after the assassination attempt of former President Trump to ensure it never happens again. That includes complete cooperation with Congress, the FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation], and other relevant investigations," the Secret Service said in a statement.
U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-KY), chairman of the House Oversight Committee (HOC), took notice of the Secret Service's lapses in a letter and subpoena to Cheatle.
"The lack of transparency and failure to cooperate with the [HOC] on this pressing matter by both DHS and the Secret Service further calls into question your ability to lead the Secret Service, and necessitates the attached subpoena compelling your appearance before the [HOC]."
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) previously detailed the Secret Service briefing given to senators about the failed assassination attempt. However, he blasted the briefing by saying there had been "virtually no information" provided and it "was largely irrelevant." Johnson nevertheless revealed that Cheatle "did admit there were mistakes and gaffes."
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Watch this video about how and why the Secret Service allowed Thomas Matthew Crooks to even take a shot at former President Donald Trump.
This video is from the LauraLynnTV channel on Brighteon.com.
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