WASHINGTON:
An investigation by the Congress on the attempt to assassinate US President Donald Trump during a campaign rally a year ago, deplored “inexcusable” failures in the operations and the response of the secret services on Sunday, and called for more serious disciplinary measures.
On July 13, 2024, a shooter shot the then republican presidential candidate during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, scrapping his ear.
One spectator was killed and two other people in addition to Trump was injured before a sniper of the government kills the shooter, Thomas Crooks, 20.
“What happened was inexcusable and the consequences imposed for failures so far do not reflect the seriousness of the situation,” said the report published by the American Senate Committee for Internal and Government Security.
The dramatic incident energized Trump’s attempt to return to the White House, with his campaign using a photo of him bloody and pumping his fist while he was rushed out of scene to court the voters.
The report did not throw new light on the motif of the shooter, which remains a mystery, but accused the secret services of “a cascade of avoidable failures which almost cost President Trump his life”.
“The United States secret services did not act on credible information, did not coordinate with local law enforcement,” said the Republican President of the Committee, Rand Paul.
“Despite these failures, no one was dismissed,” he added.
“It was a complete ventilation of security at all levels supplied by bureaucratic indifference, a lack of clear protocols and a shocking refusal to act on direct threats.
“We must hold responsible individuals and guarantee that the reforms are fully implemented so that it does not happen again.”
The secret services cited communication, technical and human errors and said that reforms were underway, in particular on coordination between the various law enforcement organizations and the establishment of a division dedicated to air surveillance.
According to the agency, six unidentified employees have been disciplined. The sanctions vary from 10 to 42 days of suspension without salary, and the six were placed in limited or non -operational positions.
By reflecting on the assassination attempt earlier this week, Trump said that “errors had been made” but that he was satisfied with the investigation.
In an interview with her daughter-in-law on “My point of view with Lara Trump” by Fox News “, Trump said that the sniper” had been able to pass him by a single blow. If he didn’t do that, you would have had an even worse situation. “”
“It was unforgettable,” said Trump about events.
