The US Secret Service has reportedly placed at least five agents on administrative leave in connection with the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Fox News As the investigation continues, several agents have confirmed they have been suspended, including a member of Trump’s security team, the Secret Service’s Pittsburgh field chief and three other agents from the office.
“It wasn’t just an attempt. He was literally shot.”
The assassination attempt took place about six weeks ago when a gunman fired several shots, one of which grazed President Trump’s ear, killing one attendee and wounding two other supporters in the crowd.
Less than two weeks after the shooting, then-Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle announced her resignation following growing criticism from Republicans and Democrats over the agency’s slow response to the shooting and failure to adequately secure the scene before it happened.
“The Secret Service is committed to investigating the decisions and actions of our personnel related to the incident in Butler, Pennsylvania and the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump,” Anthony Guglielmi, director of communications for the Secret Service, told The Blaze News.
“The Secret Service’s mission assurance review is ongoing and is examining the processes, procedures and factors that led to this failed operation,” Guglielmi continued.
“The United States Secret Service holds its employees to the highest professional standards, and any identified and substantiated violations will be investigated by the Office of Professional Ethics and may result in disciplinary action,” he added. “As this is a personnel matter, I am not in a position to comment further.”
Guglielmi would not confirm whether the agent had been placed on administrative leave.
CBS News It was reportedly unclear whether the Secret Service members were placed on administrative leave as a disciplinary measure or for other reasons as the investigation is ongoing.
Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, responded to reports that action had been taken against members of the Secret Service involved in planning the Butler rally.
“The Secret Service must be held accountable for its historic failures that led to the assassination attempt on President Trump,” Comer said. “Holding negligent agents accountable is the first step. I look forward to the results of the task force’s investigation. We must ensure that the Secret Service never fails again.”
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) also responded to the update, saying, “Suspending the Secret Service agents involved in this massive security failure is the very least we can do, and it should have been done weeks ago.”
“We still need real answers about the assassination attempt on President Trump and the accountability of all those involved,” Hawley added.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) Fox News“41 days have passed since the attempted assassination of President Trump”
“It wasn’t just a shooting attempt. He was literally shot,” Roy continued. “It was only by the grace of God that the wounds were not life-threatening.”
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