Staff Reports
The recent attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump has left many Republicans scratching their heads, wondering how the Secret Service could drop the ball so spectacularly. In a classic case of federal incompetence, some lawmakers are stepping up to fill the void left by the lackluster response from federal investigators. They’ve taken it upon themselves to unveil shocking footage and details revealing just how many security oversights allowed an armed assailant to target Trump from mere feet away.
Republican Senator Chuck Grassley is leading the charge, demanding that the Secret Service demonstrate utmost transparency regarding the monumental failures that allowed Thomas Matthew Crooks to get so close to their target. Grassley made it abundantly clear that the onus is on the Secret Service to restore public faith by airing all dirty laundry from that fateful day on July 13. His frustration with federal agencies suggests that if the federal government were a college student, they’d be on academic probation after submitting such a shoddy report on their security protocols.
This morning I joined @foxandfriends in Milwaukee to discuss the historic week here at the @GOPconvention and House Republicans’ investigation into the Secret Service’s unacceptable failure to protect President Trump. pic.twitter.com/SUHonejbmd
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) July 18, 2024
In a stunning display of transparency, Grassley released nearly half an hour of bodycam footage. The videos expose the chaotic aftermath of the attempt on Trump’s life. A Secret Service agent could be seen conversing with local emergency services, highlighting the shortcomings of an agency that apparently had warnings about Crooks prior to the shooting. It’s hard to believe how a rooftop shooter could slip under their radar, considering the potential for a sniper showdown was practically waving a banner announcing its arrival.
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green and other House Republicans took it upon themselves to conduct a firsthand investigation at the shooting site. Contrary to former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle’s claims that the rooftop was too steep for agents, these lawmakers had no problem making the ascent. They filmed themselves exploring the area, all while demonstrating that even a spry senior citizen could make it up there without breaking a sweat. Talk about a tough crowd when you’re being compared to a 70-year-old man who’s also a former Navy SEAL.
The plot thickens with allegations brought to light by Senator Josh Hawley, who claims an anonymous whistleblower revealed that the Secret Service flat-out refused to employ drone technology to secure the rally before Crooks pulled his stunt. How could an agency refuse the use of a resource that could have provided crucial aerial surveillance? It appears that the Secret Service changed their tune only after the attempted assassination, seeking drone help from local partners to assess the site after the chaos. This is not how one builds a reputation as a reliable agency.
With such glaring failures and questionable decision-making, it’s no wonder that many are demanding answers. Rather than smoothing things over, the Secret Service seems to be doubling down on their ill-fated approach to security, leaving American citizens questioning what exactly is happening within the halls of power. If they want to keep their jobs and restore confidence, it might be time for some serious soul-searching—or at the very least, a solid plan for next time.
