A recent inspector general report highlights alarming lapses within the U.S. Secret Service during critical events.
The Blaze reported that the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general criticized the U.S. Secret Service for failing to detect explosives during significant national security events, underscoring a pattern of lapses that demand urgent reforms.
On January 6, 2021, the U.S. Secret Service faced one of its most significant tests during the unrest at the Capitol. Despite the high stakes, the agency did not perform canine sweeps or have an explosives ordnance disposal team at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters, where a pipe bomb was later discovered.
This oversight came into sharper focus with the release of an 82-page report in April by Inspector General Joseph Cuffari, which detailed the failures and called for immediate corrective action. The report's findings were particularly poignant given the later assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on July 13, where security breaches were again evident.
The July incident involved gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks, who managed to evade detection at an unguarded location and fatally shot one person while injuring two others.
The pattern of negligence noted on January 6 was seen again during Trump’s assassination attempt. This similarity suggests systemic issues within the agency tasked with protecting the nation’s highest officials.
Further complicating matters, two pipe bombs were found in Washington on the same day—one near the DNC and another near the Republican National Committee headquarters. Despite a lengthy investigation and a substantial reward, no arrests have been made in connection with the bombs.
The inspector general’s report, submitted to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and initially reviewed by then-Director Kimberly Cheatle—who resigned on July 23—highlighted a series of failures including inadequate sweeps of critical areas near the DNC.
Following the report's delivery to House and Senate oversight committees on August 1, allegations surfaced that Mayorkas and Cheatle attempted to suppress the full extent of the findings.
Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris was in close proximity to the undiscovered pipe bomb at the DNC on January 6, yet her evacuation was not treated with the urgency required under Secret Service protocols.
According to the report, essential explosive detection capabilities were not utilized that day, a misstep that placed numerous lives at risk.
The report’s disclosures have led to calls for a reevaluation of the Secret Service's protocols and leadership, with an emphasis on preventing future breaches.
U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie expressed his concerns regarding the Secret Service’s performance.
"Inspector General Cuffari’s report is damning and reveals a culture of failure at the Secret Service," he commented, stressing the connection between the missed explosives on January 6 and the later security breach during the Trump assassination attempt.
The OIG report itself criticized the lack of thorough checks, stating, "The area where the pipe bomb was located should have been swept, given its proximity to the garage driveway ramp." This lapse indicated a significant oversight in protocol.
Kimberly Cheatle, the former Director, admitted to the inspector general that the failure to declare Harris' evacuation from the DNC as an "Unusual Protective Event" was a clear mistake.
The Secret Service is now at a crossroads, needing to reassess its operational protocols and leadership decisions to restore confidence in its mission. The calls for reform are growing louder, with lawmakers and the public alike demanding transparency and accountability.
As the agency moves forward, the lessons from these oversights will be critical in reshaping its strategies and ensuring the safety of national leaders and the general public.
Ultimately, the series of events from January 6 to the recent assassination attempt underline the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of the Secret Service's approach to security and crisis management.
In conclusion, the inspector general’s report and the subsequent security lapses paint a troubling picture of the Secret Service's readiness and attention to detail.
The lack of thorough sweeps, failure to arrest bomb-related suspects, and inadequate responses to critical threats highlight the need for significant reforms. These incidents not only endanger individuals but also shake public trust in an institution vital to national security.
