New reports say local police notified the Secret Service that they did not have enough personnel to secure the building where a gunman later opened fire on former President Donald Trump.
The new information comes as lawmakers call for further clarification about the security failings that led to the shooting of the former president.
“Blame local law enforcement is akin to shifting the blame.”
The Washington Post Reports Local District Attorney Richard Goldinger said the Secret Service was “informed that local police did not have the personnel to assist in securing the building.”
A source within the Secret Service reportedly confirmed the claim on condition of anonymity.
Goldinger has previously accused the Secret Service of trying to shift the blame to local authorities and said federal agencies were responsible for security failures.
“The Secret Service is in charge and it’s their responsibility to ensure security at the venue and in the surrounding area,” Goldinger previously told The Washington Post.
“I think that’s common sense. That’s their job,” Goldinger added. “When they blame the local police, I think they’re just shifting the blame where they are.”
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said in an interview Tuesday that it is the Secret Service’s responsibility to protect the former president, but said she has no plans to resign.
“I take responsibility. I am the director of the Secret Service. This is unacceptable behavior and should never happen again,” she said.
The suspect was shot dead, but not before wounding the former president, killing one rally attendee and seriously wounding two more.
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