The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump – the worst security failure by the US Secret Service in four decades – has ignited a blame game between the Secret Service and local law enforcement. Both agencies are pointing fingers, each claiming the other was responsible for securing the building where the gunman took his shot.
A Breakdown in Trust: Secret Service vs. Local Law Enforcement
The Secret Service and local police typically enjoy a close, cooperative relationship. But this public fallout could erode trust and strain future security operations.
With a long list of protectees and foreign dignitaries to safeguard, the Secret Service relies heavily on local law enforcement. This partnership is crucial for managing the thousands of trips that require protection.
Inside the Building: Conflicting Accounts
In an interview with ABC News, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle stated that local police were inside the building at the time of the shooting. She emphasized it was their role to secure the building, which was roughly 120 to 150 meters away but still had a line of sight to the rally stage.
“There was local police in that building – there was local police in the area that were responsible for the outer perimeter of the building,” Cheatle said.
A source familiar with the investigation told CNN that snipers from the Butler County Emergency Services Unit were stationed inside the building on the second floor, providing overwatch of the crowd.
Differing Perspectives: Former Agents Weigh In
Former Secret Service agents have expressed their concerns about Cheatle’s comments. One former agent told CNN, “The Service is responsible for everything, not just the inner perimeter. They should make sure all of this is covered.”
Another source indicated that the building where Thomas Matthew Crooks fired shots at Trump was not swept by the Secret Service. Instead, this responsibility fell to local law enforcement – a standard operational decision.
The Role of Local Law Enforcement
Jim Pasco, executive director of the Fraternal Order of Police, stressed the importance of the relationship between the Secret Service and local police. He warned that the Secret Service’s statements could damage this trust.
“There is going to be an erosion of this trust caused by the Secret Service’s injudicious statements,” Pasco told CNN. “This is kind of a betrayal by leadership of the Secret Service by the brave men and women who go out there and do an extraordinarily great professional job every day.”
Evaluating the Security Failure
Investigators will need to determine whether there were enough assets and personnel authorized by Secret Service leadership and if local police failed to maintain the integrity of their area of responsibility.
“None of that changes the fact that, given the terrain and line of sight realities of that event, the perimeter is not anywhere near expansive enough and is, in fact, dangerously close from a protective operations standpoint,” the source said.
Accountability and Response
Pasco also criticized Cheatle’s delay in addressing the public and taking responsibility. “The buck stops with me,” Cheatle said in her ABC News interview.
Pasco responded to CNN: “Apparently it took two days for the buck to stop.”
Local Officials’ Standpoint
During a press conference where the Secret Service was absent, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Colonel George Bivens clarified that the Secret Service always takes the lead on securing such events but works closely with local agencies.
“It really depends on the venue, on what information is out there, what number of resources are devoted to it, and we work with them to provide whatever is requested by the Secret Service. But they’re the lead in that security,” Bivens said.
A Pennsylvania State Police official added that all assets requested by the Secret Service were provided.
Chaos and Reaction
Videos from social media show local law enforcement scrambling after crowd members shouted about the gunman on the roof. Officers were seen running toward the building, guided by onlookers.
Butler Township Police also responded to the shooting, with one officer even firing at the gunman.
Presidential Confidence
Despite the incident, President Joe Biden expressed his confidence in the Secret Service, stating he feels safe with their protection.
“I feel safe with the Secret Service,” Biden told NBC’s Lester Holt. “What we did see was the Secret Service who responded risked their lives … They were ready to give their lives to the president.”
Biden acknowledged the role of local law enforcement in protecting the former president, calling the process complicated.
Moving Forward
The fallout from this incident highlights the need for clear communication and cooperation between the Secret Service and local law enforcement. Ensuring a robust and coordinated security plan is essential to prevent future failures and maintain the safety of all protectees.
Learn more
- Secret Service Official Website: Secret Service
- Local Law Enforcement Partnership: Police Partnership
- CNN Report on Security Failure: CNN Report
- ABC News Interview with Kimberly Cheatle: ABC News Interview
- Fraternal Order of Police: FOP
