Documents obtained by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs reveal significant shortcomings among six US Secret Service agents who were suspended without pay following an assassination attempt on then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024.
Initially, the US Secret Service indicated that one agent faced discipline in February; however, records show that five other agents were not disciplined until April. An interview with the agency highlighted that the main site agents seemed unprepared and unsure about their roles in Butler.
This particular rally was notable, as it was the first outdoor event secured by the agent, who later claimed that ground agents lacked the fundamental knowledge necessary for such a task.
In the aftermath of the attempted assassination, Trump urged the Secret Service to provide “all information” regarding the incident involving his would-be assassin. Interviews revealed that despite acknowledging substantial security risks at the Butler rally, agents failed to voice concerns or implement measures to secure vulnerable areas, which allowed a clear shot of Trump.
Documentation indicates that some agents neglected to perform essential walkthroughs of the site. For instance, the Lead Advance Agent cited hospitalization due to heat exhaustion as the reason for not completing a final security check.
The report goes on to detail the disciplinary actions taken against the six agents involved in the security failures.
Lead Advance Agent
The Lead Advance Agent, who spent 21 years with the US Secret Service—including six years protecting the Vice President—received a 14-day suspension, despite conflicting documents suggesting a 21-day suspension without pay. Despite being the most seasoned agent on the Advanced Team, this agent failed to secure the rally effectively. She was aware of several security concerns but did not address them or create a plan to mitigate risks.
Counter Sniper Team Lead
The Counter Sniper Team Lead, with a decade of experience, faced a 52-day suspension without pay in April, although the final suspension reflected only 35 days. Agents criticized the reliance on online tools rather than physically inspecting the rally site, and the lead did not collaborate with local sniper teams or communicate effectively with law enforcement.
Documents indicate that a sniper at the scene had received a text alerting him to suspicious activity but failed to relay this information to relevant site agents.
Site Agent
One site agent with five years at the Secret Service was originally suspended for three days in April, but this was later extended to 42 days without pay. The agents admitted they did not communicate an aggressive threat that day, and this agent criticized others for security failures, despite being ultimately responsible for the site’s overall security.
Senior Special Agent Site Counterpart
This agent, with two decades of experience, was also suspended for 14 days without pay. During interviews, she maintained that the site agents lacked basic skills, asserting it was not her responsibility to train them. Email plans for security from local police were never opened by her, a significant oversight.
Special Agents at the Pittsburgh Field Office
One agent from the Pittsburgh field office, possessing 24 years of experience, mentioned that he could have taken more proactive measures had he been aware of potential threats prior to the rally. Other agents noted that the protective team was privy to the threat and should have adjusted their plans accordingly.
Assistant to Special Agent in Charge of the Pittsburgh Office
The final agent, an assistant to the special agent overseeing the Pittsburgh office, admitted to not preparing adequately for the Butler Rally and not engaging with lead agents for necessary briefings. Consequently, this agent was suspended for 10 days without pay in April.
