Trump Claims He Was Unwarned of Threat Before Assassination Attempt
Former President Donald Trump has stated that he was not warned about security issues before an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally on July 13. During the incident, a gunman named Thomas Matthew Crooks shot Trump in the ear, resulting in one rallygoer's death. Trump expressed confusion over the security arrangements and questioned how the shooter accessed the roof of a nearby building from which the shots were fired.
The Secret Service has acknowledged it previously denied requests from Trump's campaign for increased security at his events. The agency's spokesperson, Anthony Guglielmi, mentioned that the Secret Service employs a comprehensive strategy that balances personnel, technology, and specialized operational needs, sometimes relying on state and local law enforcement when specialized units are unavailable. This security lapse will be a key focus of an upcoming congressional hearing, where Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle is expected to testify. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and several lawmakers have called for Cheatle's resignation or dismissal following the incident.
