Staff Reports
Senator Josh Hawley has dropped a bombshell that could make even the most stalwart defenders of the Secret Service scratch their heads in confusion. In a recent letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Hawley unveiled a whistleblower revelation that indicates the U.S. Secret Service turned down the use of local law enforcement’s drone technology to secure a rally where a shooter attempted to take out former President Donald Trump. Yes, you read that right—apparently, they opted to rely on old-fashioned methods rather than the high-tech advantages available.
Imagine attending a rally where security is so lax they could have used drones to monitor threats. One might think that with a former president’s life on the line, every available tool in the security toolbox would be employed. However, Hawley’s letter suggests that the day before a madman attempted to assassinate Trump, the Secret Service had flat-out rejected offers from local police to use drones, which were conveniently available at their fingertips. This wasn’t just a missed opportunity to use cutting-edge technology; it was a colossal oversight that could have prevented a dangerous situation.
Adding to the absurdity, after the chaotic shooting incident, the Secret Service apparently changed its tune and requested those same drones to monitor the aftermath. So let’s get this straight: A company offering to put drones in the air to prevent a tragedy was dismissed outright, but once shots were fired, the Secret Service scrambled for the very assets they had ignored. This raises a serious question about their judgment—and not just on a whim, but in a high-stakes environment where every second counts.
To make matters worse, it all came out that the shooter himself had taken a drone for a joyride over the rally site just hours before attempting to grass a president with his rifle. FBI Director Christopher Wray echoed this chilling detail in his testimony, highlighting the monumental failure of the Secret Service to enact basic security measures. What were they doing while the bad guys were flying reconnaissance missions? Perhaps they were too busy playing “who can ignore technology the best.”
We need to dump all senior management at the @SecretService
We need to dump all senior management at the @FBI
Hawley: Whistleblower Says Secret Service Declined Drones for Trump Rally https://t.co/sBaOZqGkVx via @BreitbartNews
— Stewart Kahn (@StewartKahn) July 26, 2024
Hawley demanded transparency, asking Mayorkas for all records and communications related to the drone technology that was conveniently ignored, and he thinks it’s high time for Mayorkas to face Congress and explain this colossal blunder. Hawley argues that the American public deserves to know why their government failed to protect an ex-president and why the Secret Service—an agency tasked with safeguarding national leaders—showed such lackluster by refusing to harness available technology when it was most critical.
In a time when threats to safety are evolving, it seems that the Secret Service believes they can operate with a “no drones allowed” policy, and taxpayers deserve an explanation for this lack of seriousness when it comes to national security. In a world rife with danger, one can only hope the powers that be wake up and start using every resource available—drones included—to ensure the safety of those they protect.
