Staff Reports
The details surrounding the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, raise eyebrows about the Secret Service’s competence—or lack thereof. Just two days before Trump sustained a gunshot wound, the Secret Service had the audacity to assure local law enforcement that they would secure the site where accused gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks apparently decided to play a deadly game of hide-and-seek. One can’t help but wonder if they were busy polishing their badges instead of coordinating security.
The revelation came through a letter issued by Senator Chuck Grassley, who has a penchant for calling out government blunders. Grassley’s inquiry highlighted serious lapses in security efforts related to the protection of some of America’s highest-profile leaders. It appears that, despite repeated alarms raised about the safety of the AGR Complex, it didn’t quite make it to the top of the priority list for the Secret Service. Instead, the planning revealed a disconcerting picture—having “counter snipers” positioned inside the very building where a would-be assassin could lurk seems akin to placing the fox in charge of the henhouse.
Grassley’s investigation painted a troubling picture: a mere 22 “post standers” were on hand for the event, 16 of whom were from agencies other than the Secret Service. This raises more questions than it answers. Did these agents draw straws to determine who would be safeguarding Trump’s life? If someone from the USDA showed up with a fruit basket, will they count as a protective detail next?
Further, Grassley chided acting Secret Service Director Ron Rowe for failing to provide transparency in the ongoing investigation into the threats faced during Trump’s appearance. It seems that Rowe opted instead to leave Grassley chasing shadows. Meanwhile, one can’t ignore the fact that just days after the incident, another security scare arose at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee when a ski-mask-wearing man wielding an AK-47 was caught nearby. Talk about a welcome party gone horribly wrong.
Washington Examiner: Secret Service vowed to secure building Trump was shot from https://t.co/DPaQGTORQd
— Ian Hansen News 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHNewsFeed) September 18, 2024
As if the threats against Trump weren’t enough, Grassley’s findings reveal that politicians of all stripes are caught in this web of danger as the 2024 election looms on the horizon. Other political figures, including President Joe Biden and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, are reportedly in the crosshairs of a broader plot allegedly tied to Iranian operatives. It’s almost comical to think that a country known for chants of “Death to America” might decide to dabble in targeted political assassinations, but here we are.
Lastly, with the September 15 incident where a man attempted to ambush Trump with a rifle at his golf club, it’s clear that the stakes have never been higher. The frequency of threats against conservative figures is galloping faster than a rodeo bull on a sugar high. From Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s close call to swatting incidents targeting figures like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the hostile environment for conservatives is alarming. If one thing is clear from all of this chaos, it’s crucial to question just how the Secret Service is handling its duties — or if it needs a complete overhaul before it loses more than just its reputation.
