The recent Donald Trump rally held in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the Republican presidential candidate was shot at, has come under scrutiny as it is being claimed that most of the security personnel working at the event were not Secret Service agents. This accusation by US Senator Josh Hawley relies on whistleblower accounts and highlights a possible failure in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) assignment of personnel to the campaign rally.
The shots fired from the roof of a nearby factory resulted in one audience member killed, two more injured, and the sniper being taken out by law enforcement. Senator Hawley alleges that most of Trump’s security detail at the event were not Secret Service agents but were drawn instead from the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division within DHS.
According to the whistleblowers, the security personnel failed in several aspects: they did not use dogs to monitor the area, allowed people without proper badges access backstage, and did not have individuals stationed around the perimeter or deployed around the podium. Senator Hawley is a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and has assured that he will protect these whistleblowers while continuing to investigate the “staggering security failures on July 13.” He demanded answers from DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas within seven days regarding the whistleblowers’ claims.
The building where Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire had been used as a base for local law enforcement helping with security; however, it remains unclear how he managed to get onto the roof undetected by authorities and remain there despite repeated warnings from civilians. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle attempted to explain the absence of Secret Service personnel on that particular roof by citing safety risks associated with its sloped design. However, her explanation has been met with skepticism, prompting the House Oversight Committee to issue a subpoena compelling her to testify before Congress under oath.
Trump was fortunate to escape harm as he turned his head to the right at the last moment, causing the bullet intended for his head to miss. After security swarmed him, Trump got up, raised a fist, and told his followers to “fight.” Republicans confirmed him as their presidential nominee at this week’s national convention in Milwaukee.