Senator Josh Hawley has revealed allegations from whistleblowers accusing the lead Secret Service site agent responsible for security at a July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where former President Donald Trump was shot, of incompetence and security lapses that compromised the event’s safety.
The alleged incompetence and security failures resulted in Trump being shot, one rallygoer killed, and two others critically injured.
During the event, Trump was shot, resulting in the death of a 50-year-old rallygoer named Corey Comperatore, and leaving two others critically injured.
The Christian Post reported that whistleblowers have pointed fingers at the lead site agent, accusing this individual of incompetence and multiple security lapses. According to these whistleblowers, the agent was known for their lack of competence and limited experience in the role. They were new to the local field office and had relatively little experience prior to taking on this critical assignment.
Among the allegations, the whistleblowers claim that the agent failed to manage line-of-sight concerns adequately, allowing flags to be placed in ways that obstructed the views of agents. In addition, IDs were reportedly not checked when issuing credentials for restricted areas, further compromising security.
Security lapses extended beyond the lead agent's specific responsibilities. Whistleblower testimonies suggest that the rally site had not undergone the standard threat assessment protocols typically employed for such high-profile events.
Furthermore, the Secret Service Counter Surveillance Division (CSD) was absent from the event. The absence of CSD personnel, who are responsible for evaluating potential threats outside the secured perimeter, allegedly allowed the gunman to go unnoticed. The whistleblowers assert that had the CSD been present, the gunman might have been apprehended earlier, possibly preventing the shooting.
Senator Josh Hawley seized on these concerns, demanding accountability from the Secret Service. In a letter addressed to Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe on Monday, he urged the immediate suspension of the lead site agent pending an investigation.
Senator Hawley had previously written to Rowe on August 1, outlining the purported deficiencies in the threat assessment and the absence of CSD personnel. In a joint Senate hearing on July 30, he confronted Rowe about these shortcomings, pressing for answers regarding the leadership and decisions made by the lead agent.
"One whistleblower with direct knowledge of the event alleges to my office that this lead site agent was well-known in campaign circles as lacking competence and experience in the role," said Hawley.
Further intensifying his rhetoric, Hawley added, "This specific allegation follows similar public reports that this agent was 'new' to the local field office and had 'relatively little experience.' The whistleblower alleges that this individual was, as part of securing the site, specifically responsible for line-of-sight concerns."
Hawley stressed the need for immediate action, saying, "I urge you to suspend the lead site agent from all Secret Service duties immediately while these claims are investigated."
He further criticized the agents’ security decisions, stating, "Personally made decisions that likely compromised the overall security of the event."
Addressing the significance of the CSD's absence, Hawley explained, "This is significant because CSD's duties include evaluating potential security threats outside the security perimeter and mitigating those threats during the event."
Hawley's comments were further corroborated by whistleblower allegations claiming, "The whistleblower claims that if personnel from CSD had been present at the rally, the gunman would have been handcuffed in the parking lot after being spotted with a rangefinder."
Senator Hawley passionately questioned the decision-making processes within the Secret Service, concluding with a pointed remark, "Unfairly persecuted? People are dead!"
Responding to the claims, Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe emphasized the importance of a balanced approach. Rowe defended the need to avoid rushing to judgment, highlighting the risks of potentially unfair persecution, and underscored that any investigation must be thorough and meticulous.
The July 13 rally shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, has sparked significant controversy and scrutiny over the competence and actions of the Secret Service, particularly the lead site agent responsible for security during the event.
Allegations from whistleblowers reveal a series of specific security lapses and omissions, questioning the agent's qualifications and emphasizing the critical absence of CSD personnel.
Senator Josh Hawley has been vocal in demanding immediate action and transparency from the Secret Service, while Acting Director Ronald Rowe calls for a thorough investigation to ensure a balanced and fair outcome.
