Security Failures in Trump Assassination Attempt

The Senate Judiciary Committee convened to investigate the security lapses that contributed to the attempted assassination of former President Trump.

By Satin Shariati July 31, 2024

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SUBJECT: Security Failures Leading to Assassination Attempts on Former President Trump

DATE: July 30, 2024

OVERVIEW: The US Senate Committee on the Judiciary held this meeting to further discuss the assassination attempt on former president Trump. Witnesses Rowe and Abbate outline the ongoing investigation into the cause of the shooting, information regarding the assassin, and overall security failures from both the Secret Service and local law enforcement that contributed to this assassination attempt. Garnering Bi-partisan support for an investigation, lawmakers pressed both witnesses - demanding results, admonishment, along with higher action to ensure effective security measures in the future.

HEARING RECORDING LINK: https://www.youtube.com/live/3pHPH6QeObY

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Witnesses

  • Ronald L Rowe Jr., Acting Director US Secret Service US Department Homeland Security 
  • Paul Abbate, Deputy Director FBI US DOJ

Key Themes & Highlights

  • Republican Concerns:
    • Security Lapses: Republicans, led by Senator Lindsey Graham, expressed concerns over the severe security lapses that allowed the gunman to access the rooftop and attempt the assassination. They demanded accountability and questioned why security protocols, particularly regarding communication and surveillance, failed to prevent the incident.
    • Accountability and Firings: Republicans strongly advocated for firings within the Secret Service as a response to the failure. Graham argued that terminating responsible officials would set a precedent and prevent future security oversights.
  • Democratic Concerns:
    • Systemic Security Failures: Democrats emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the systemic security failures within both the Secret Service and local law enforcement. They stressed that these issues must be fully addressed before taking any disciplinary actions.
    • Enhanced Technology: Democrats also supported the introduction of advanced technologies like drones and geolocation systems for future event security, ensuring that similar assassination attempts are thwarted.
  • Witness Testimonies:
    • Ronald L Rowe Jr. (U.S. Secret Service): Discussed the lack of counter-drone systems and the "cellular connectivity issues" that prevented real-time communication during the event. He emphasized that these failures would be corrected moving forward, with security reforms already underway.
    • Paul Abbate (FBI): Outlined the ongoing investigation, noting that no motive or co-conspirators had been identified yet. Abbate provided insight into the gunman’s extremist social media activity, which included anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant rhetoric, and detailed efforts to map out the gunman’s actions before and during the attack.
  • Contentious Points:
    • Republicans: Focused on the immediate need for accountability within the Secret Service, advocating for firings and disciplinary action as a deterrent for future failures. They were also critical of the communication breakdowns during the event.
    • Democrats: Emphasized a comprehensive investigation into the security gaps before rushing to disciplinary measures. They highlighted the importance of technological upgrades and proper coordination between law enforcement agencies.
  • Key Discussions:
    • Security Failures: Both Republicans and Democrats agreed on the need to prevent such lapses in the future, though they differed on the immediate steps—Republicans calling for firings and Democrats focusing on systemic reforms.
    • Technology Integration: There was bipartisan agreement on the need to integrate drones and advanced surveillance systems into security protocols for high-profile events.
    • Investigative Challenges: Discussions included the challenges of the ongoing investigation, with particular attention to the need for greater cooperation from DHS and the importance of identifying the gunman’s motivations.

In-Depth Notes

  • Senator Gary Peters (Chairman) talked about the upcoming interim report on Trump’s assassination attempt investigation, expected by the end of September. He emphasized that while some findings will be revealed, more interviews and additional information are still needed to fully conclude the investigation. Peters stressed the importance of full cooperation from all agencies involved, particularly DHS, to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation. He mentioned that the investigation is focused on determining the motive, identifying potential co-conspirators, and tracking shooter Thomas Crooks’ actions before and during the attack.
  • Senator Richard Blumenthal criticized DHS for allegedly hindering the investigation by withholding crucial information. He suggested that subpoenas might be necessary to compel full cooperation from the department. Blumenthal highlighted the need for transparency, arguing that the lack of it had become a significant obstacle. He accused DHS of "stonewalling" the investigation and expressed frustration with the delays caused by the department’s lack of cooperation.
  • DHS Response: DHS denied all accusations of obstructing the investigation. Officials from the department asserted that they had provided extensive documentation and briefings to the committee and rejected Blumenthal’s claims of non-cooperation. They maintained that they had fully complied with all investigative requests and were committed to transparency throughout the investigation.
  • New Incident Review: In addition to the July 13 shooting, Sen. Peters discussed the need to investigate a more recent attempted assassination at Trump’s Florida golf club. He indicated that this incident would be reviewed alongside the July 13 shooting to identify any patterns in security failures or lapses that may have allowed these attempts to occur.
  • House Task Force requested documents and records from both the FBI and DOJ to explore potential connections between the July 13 shooting and the Florida incident. The task force also sought witness interviews and crime scene records related to the gunman’s actions before and during both incidents.
  • FBI and DOJ Deadline: Peters emphasized that both agencies had been given a strict deadline to submit the requested documents by next Tuesday. He also stated that briefings were expected by Friday to provide clarity on the progress of the investigation. Peters underscored the importance of these documents, noting that they are crucial for understanding the full scope of the events.
  • Rep. Clay Higgins accused the FBI of mishandling critical evidence during the investigation, suggesting that these errors may have obstructed progress. Higgins expressed concern that the FBI’s actions had compromised the integrity of the investigation. However, the FBI strongly denied these claims, asserting that all procedures were followed according to standard protocols and that no evidence was mishandled.
  • DHS Defense: In response to accusations of obstruction, DHS reiterated that it had provided all necessary documents and briefings requested by the investigating committee. DHS officials rejected claims of non-cooperation, maintaining that they had fully complied with all investigative demands and had acted in good faith to assist the investigation.
  • House Task Force Actions: The House Task Force continued to push for additional documents and records from both the FBI and DOJ, particularly those related to the July 13 shooting and the Florida incident. They are also seeking further interviews and documentation concerning the crime scenes and the gunman’s actions leading up to the attempts.
  • Senator Peters and Senator Blumenthal both stressed the importance of continuing the investigation with full transparency and cooperation from all involved parties. Blumenthal, in particular, remained critical of DHS, repeatedly calling out the department for delaying the investigation and withholding key information.