Official announcements from the Department of Homeland Security or the Secret Service

Secret Service Needs 'Fundamental Reform,' Panel Warns After Trump Assassination Attempt

Oct 17, 2024, 12:45 PM

An independent, bipartisan panel appointed by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has released a 52-page report criticizing the U.S. Secret Service for systemic failures that led to the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The report describes the agency as 'bureaucratic, complacent, and static,' warning that without fundamental reforms, 'another Butler can and will happen again.' The panel recommends an overhaul of the Secret Service's leadership, bringing in new, outside personnel to address deep flaws in culture and operations. The two men who were shot during the attack, Jim Copenhaver and David Dutch, spoke publicly for the first time, accusing the Secret Service of negligence and saying the agency failed to protect them and Trump. 'It was like getting hit with a sledgehammer right in the chest,' Dutch said of his injuries.