
The Secret Service has criticized local police for their role in the security breach that led to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally. Officials stated that local police were responsible for securing the AGR International Inc. plant grounds, about 130 yards from the rally site, according to the New York Times.
Residents near the Butler Farm Show Grounds reported no contact from law enforcement before or after the event. Valerie Fennell, who lives close to the fairgrounds, said, “Nobody contacted me. Nobody. Nobody called me, nobody stopped here,” highlighting the absence of security measures in her neighborhood.
During the rally, attendees saw Thomas Matthew Crooks behaving suspiciously near the metal detectors and alerted local police, who informed the Secret Service. Despite this, Crooks managed to avoid detection, carrying a rifle and moving between rooftops before reaching the AGR facility.
Around 6:10 p.m., a local officer confronted Crooks on the AGR roof, but Crooks fired eight shots, injuring Trump in the ear, critically injuring two others, and killing Corey Comperatore. Secret Service snipers quickly responded, shooting Crooks.
The Secret Service stated that collaborating with local law enforcement for event security is standard procedure, but Pennsylvania police emphasized that the Secret Service is the lead agency. “Secret Service always has the lead on securing something like this,” said Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police.
In response, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) has planned a hearing with Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle on July 22 to investigate the security lapses that nearly resulted in Trump’s assassination.