Secret Service Scrutinized After Trump Assassination Attempt

The Secret Service has been under intense scrutiny following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Counter-snipers were deployed for the first time to protect Trump, but significant failures in communication, personnel, and technology allowed the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, to open fire, injuring Trump and killing one attendee. Whistleblowers revealed that essential threat assessments were not conducted, and critical radio communications were missed due to different systems between local police and federal agents. Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe admitted to shortcomings in the agency's response, including the non-functional counter-drone system and inadequate security perimeters. Lawmakers and insiders have criticized the Secret Service leadership for these lapses, calling for accountability and further investigations into the agency's operational failures.