Did a Massive Secret Service Failure Nearly Result in the Assassination of Donald Trump?

Thomas Matthew Crooks and the Attempted Assassination

It's difficult to understand how Thomas Matthew Crooks, the alleged suspect in the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Butler, PA, didn't succeed. It appears that almost every Secret Service security protocol was overlooked, providing Crooks with an ideal shooting position and ample time to aim at Trump's podium.

The rooftop Crooks used was only 140 yards away from the event, with an unobstructed view of Trump. Those knowledgeable about precision shooting understand that any shot within 300 yards is relatively easy for a moderately trained rifleman. With the right caliber, an expert can consistently hit a torso-sized target at 1000 yards or more. At 140 yards, even a novice should be able to hit a pie plate-sized target with little difficulty, even without a magnified optic.

Secret Service Security Protocols

The Secret Service is tasked with securing all obvious "sniper perches" well before the arrival of a protectee. This means that nearby rooftops and buildings should have a security presence and drone surveillance. However, in the case of Butler, PA, this protocol was not followed. Secret Service snipers were only present on the building directly behind the venue stage.

The absence of a security presence at the building across the field allowed the would-be assassin to boldly walk to the location and climb to the rooftop with his rifle in broad daylight. The Secret Service usually employs concentric "circicles of security" extending hundreds if not thousands of yards when preparing a location for protection.

The fact that Crooks could get so close with an elevated position on the stage is unthinkable. Another failure was the lack of sight obstructions near the stage. The Secret Service is supposed to erect barriers to block the line of sight from potential shooting locations, but this was not done.

Response Time and Aftermath

Finally, there was a significant lack of response time. Witnesses outside the event reported seeing Thomas Crooks climbing to the building rooftop with his rifle at least three minutes before he started shooting. They claimed they tried to warn police and Secret Service agents, but their warnings were ignored.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, a victim of political violence, expressed his disbelief after the shooting, questioning how someone could be on the rooftop. He also mentioned reports of people watching Crooks climb up the roof and alerting authorities, promising to look into the matter.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer demanded immediate answers from the Secret Service about how the assassination attempt was not prevented. He has contacted the Secret Service for a briefing and has called on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear for a hearing.

Previous Warning Signs

Just the News notes that warning signs about the Secret Service were present months before the Trump assassination attempt. In May, Congress requested a briefing with the Secret Service, following several incidents that allegedly raised internal concerns about the quality of its training. A petition within the Secret Service has reportedly been circulating due to these incidents, calling for a congressional investigation into the agency.

One incident involved a Secret Service agent assigned to Vice President Kamala Harris allegedly attacking her superior and other agents. The unnamed agent also displayed other "concerning" behavior, according to her colleagues.

Fortunately for Trump, Crooks appears to have had poor aim and did not shoot from a covered position, which would have provided him with protection and more time. Unfortunately, the shooter's stray bullets hit at least three bystanders in the crowd, leaving one dead and two in critical condition. The security failure in this situation is so complete that former Secret Service agents are publicly admitting it and calling for an investigation into how this could have happened.

The Motive and the Aftermath

The motive for Thomas Crooks' actions is not yet known. Reports suggest that the 20-year-old Bethel Park resident was registered to vote as a Republican, but he also donated money to Democrat-run organizations in 2021, including ActBlue and the Progressive Turnout Project.

As we warned only two weeks ago, Democrat rhetoric has been increasingly violent after the Supreme Court decision on Trump's prosecution immunity. Many Democrat representatives and activists openly suggested Trump could (or should) be assassinated in response to the ruling. The media's fear mongering over the "imminent destruction of Democracy" should Trump prevail might not be directly related to the shooting attempt, but it certainly doesn't help. In the wake of the failed assassination, many have still taken to social media to argue that the shooting was "staged", while others complained that the shooter missed his target.

Political Vitriol and Future Violence

Regardless of one's position on Trump, this kind of political vitriol should be considered poisonous. It can only lead to more violence in the future. Again, the shooter was given every opportunity; Democrats almost got what they have long wanted.

As we reflect on this event, it's clear that there are many questions left unanswered. How could this have happened? What could have been done to prevent it? And what does this mean for the future of political security? We invite you to share your thoughts on this matter and discuss it with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is everyday at 6pm.