Trump rally security lapses: Secret Service under scrutiny

The head of the Secret Service (USSS), Kimberly Cheatle, admitted to shortcomings in securing an election rally where Donald Trump was shot. She described them as "unacceptable." She took responsibility for the service, not preventing the attack, but said she would not resign.

- It was unacceptable. (...) The responsibility lies with me - said Cheatle on Monday Eastern Time in an interview with ABC News.

However, she partly blamed local authorities who cooperated with the Secret Service in securing the rally. She added that USSS agents quickly took action to apprehend the attacker after rally participants spotted him on the roof of a building just outside the secured area.

Local police were inside the building and in the area, responsible for what was outside the building, emphasized Cheatle.

"The Washington Post" noted that the Secret Service coordinates the overall security plan for events involving presidents, former presidents, and other high-ranking officials. They also bear primary responsibility for preventing risks associated with potential long-distance firearm attacks and issuing orders to local police regarding the security of buildings from which an attack could occur.

A few hours before the broadcast of Cheatle's interview with ABC, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas called allowing the shooting a "security failure." He did not, however, blame the services. He assured me that he has "100 percent confidence" in them and Cheatle. The head of the department also reported that following the attack on Saturday, the Secret Service increased protection measures for Trump, incumbent President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Mayorkas announced the urgent formation of a team to independently assess the failures. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill, including James Comer, chairman of the oversight committee in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, have also begun investigations.

Experts point to longstanding staffing issues within the Secret Service. - The USSS operates under a permanent staff shortage and cost-cutting, often leading to shortcuts. Anyone who thinks otherwise does not have a realistic view of the situation - said former service officer Dan Kaszeta to PAP.

Kaszeta noted that the service's resources, which comprises 8,000 employees, have long been strained, and the intense election campaign period further highlights this situation.

Kaszeta also pointed out that in similar situations, the service relies on cooperation with local police and law enforcement agencies, which in places like rural Butler also may not have the appropriate resources and experience. In his view, this may explain the unsecured roof.

- Almost certainly, the local police's task was to provide someone to secure those buildings. Imagine, theoretically, that this small-town police had to respond to a car accident two hours earlier, or that two of their nine officers got food poisoning - said Kaszeta. - Or what if the team assigned to work in that area was called to inspect a suspicious car? - he added.

According to AP sources, just before the attacker fired, the police located him on the roof of the building. However, when an officer climbed to the roof, he saw the barrel of a rifle pointed at him and immediately retreated. Moments later, the 20-year-old attacker fired shots before being killed by Secret Service marksmen. Kaszeta assessed that although an anti-sniper team was present in Butler, it was not their responsibility to check the area. - By definition, they do not stand on the rooftops of buildings where snipers may be present - he emphasized.

Despite the announced investigation into the Secret Service's errors, the expert expressed doubt that it would bring about the needed reforms. - I don't know what will happen, but likely a scapegoat will be found, even if these people could not have done anything differently - said the expert. He added that he fears if the service agents are publicly identified by the users online, it could lead to a tragedy. - It could ruin their lives - he emphasized.