Official Senate hearing reports and public announcements

Senate to Hold Hearing on Security Failures in Butler Trump Rally Shooting

Jul 27, 2024, 07:39 PM

Lawmakers are raising numerous questions about the security failures that led to the shooting attack on former President Donald Trump at his July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The Senate is preparing for its first public hearing on the matter next week. The US Secret Service has come under heavy scrutiny for these failures, which allowed the shooter, Thomas Crooks, to wound Trump and kill rally attendee Corey Comperatore. Reports indicate that Secret Service agents failed to secure the rally site due to a 'dangerous' sloped roof and left significant gaps in the protection area, including an open field with a full view of Trump on-stage from 80 yards away. Despite law enforcement tracking and discussing a suspicious person for over 20 minutes, Trump’s advisers and Secret Service detail were not informed until shots were fired. The incident has exposed significant lapses in communication and security protocols within the Secret Service.