The U.S. Secret Service has suspended six employees in connection with significant lapses during a rally for Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year, where an assassination attempt took place. Matthew Crooks, the assailant, fired shots during the event, striking Trump, who fortunately was not seriously injured. The shooting resulted in the death of an attendee, Corey Comperatore, and injuries to others.
Matt Quinn, the deputy director of the Secret Service, confirmed the suspensions, which range from 10 to 42 days without pay or benefits. He termed the situation an "operational failure" and stated the agency is dedicated to ensuring that similar incidents are prevented in the future. While Quinn has not disclosed the identities of the suspended personnel, he emphasized a shift towards improvements in operations, including the utilization of military-grade drones and upgraded mobile command posts.
The attack prompted an intense scrutiny of the Secret Service and led to the resignation of then-director Kimberly Cheatle. A Senate report released in September highlighted multiple security failures, noting that a lack of communication within the service contributed to the crisis. A subsequent House report asserted that the incident could have been avoided, particularly criticizing the failure to secure the rooftop from which Crooks fired.
Following this incident, Trump has been granted enhanced security measures, reflecting the agency's increased vigilance. Recently, he faced another security threat at his Florida golf course when a suspected gunman approached. The FBI is investigating this second incident as part of ongoing concerns regarding threats to Trump's security.
