Official reports from the U.S. government or Congressional task force

Bipartisan House Report: Secret Service Failures Led to Tragic July 13 Trump Shooting in Pennsylvania

Oct 21, 2024, 02:30 PM

A bipartisan House task force has released an interim report detailing security failures that led to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania. The report criticizes the U.S. Secret Service for inadequate planning and coordination with local law enforcement, citing ineffective advance planning, insecure perimeters, vulnerable lines of sight, and poor communication due to multiple command posts and unclear chains of command. The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was able to climb onto the AGR building and fire eight shots at President Trump and rally attendees. The task force described the incident as "tragic and shocking" and concluded that it was preventable. Lawmakers have called for accountability and transparency regarding the Secret Service's failures.