A report published by the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security highlights serious failures in the intelligence services during the assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. According to this document, the agency did not receive 102 radio communications issued by local law enforcement regarding the alleged shooter.
The investigation explains that the intelligence services had not established a joint communications center with local authorities. Consequently, they did not have access to the numerous transmissions reporting the search for a suspect, later identified as Thomas Crooks.
The report states that the Secret Service received only five phone calls and three text messages regarding Crooks. Lacking radio communications, agents were unable to alert Donald Trump's security team about growing concerns regarding the presence of a suspect near the rally.
During the attack, Thomas Crooks opened fire as Donald Trump was speaking to his supporters. The gunman was killed by law enforcement at the scene, but the shooting left one spectator dead and several wounded, including Donald Trump, who was hit in the ear by a bullet.
The findings of this report highlight significant shortcomings in coordination between intelligence services and local law enforcement. They raise renewed questions about the security arrangements put in place during presidential rallies and the measures taken since then to prevent such failures from recurring.
Community
Comments
Comments are open, but protected against spam. Initial posts and comments containing links undergo manual review.
Be the first to comment on this article.