Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) has taken aim at the Secret Service’s handling of security during a July rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump occurred. According to whistleblower reports, the lead advance agent assigned to protect Trump was allegedly unqualified, having failed crucial training exams. This individual, who was reportedly new to the Secret Service’s Pittsburgh office, oversaw security at the event, despite known concerns about her competence.
Hawley voiced his frustrations publicly, particularly during an appearance on Jesse Watters Primetime, stating, “This advance agent, I’m told, may have failed one or more of her training exams and was known not to be a top-quality agent. I mean, this is absurd”.
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— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) September 10, 2024
He argued that the decision to put her in charge of Trump’s safety was inexplicable and endangered the former president’s life, as well as that of the rallygoers.
The rally, held on July 13, turned tragic when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks fired shots from a nearby roof, grazing Trump and killing a rally attendee, Corey Comperatore. Whistleblowers later revealed that the shooter had taken advantage of a significant security lapse—an unmanned rooftop post. Law enforcement personnel were reportedly supposed to be stationed on the roof, but abandoned their position due to hot weather. This absence provided the shooter with a clear line of sight, further exacerbating the security failures.
Now I’m told the Department of Homeland Security is pressuring the Secret Service not to comply with document requests by Congress about the Trump assassination attempt.
What are they hiding from the American people? pic.twitter.com/lQt0bu6NNY
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) September 13, 2024
Hawley has demanded immediate accountability for these lapses. In a letter to Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe, he urged the removal of the lead agent from active duty while the investigation is ongoing. He also expressed concerns that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, who partnered with the Secret Service for this event, were inadequately trained and had never staffed a presidential rally before.
The senator's complaints extend beyond just individual agent performance. He accused the Secret Service of broader operational failures, including not properly conducting threat assessments at the Butler rally site. One major oversight, according to whistleblowers, was the absence of the Secret Service’s Counter Surveillance Division (CSD), which is tasked with spotting and neutralizing threats from outside the security perimeter. Hawley argued that had CSD agents been present, they could have detected the shooter before he even climbed onto the roof.
Hawley’s calls for accountability have sparked broader discussions about the Secret Service’s internal culture and decision-making process. Some have criticized the organization for prioritizing diversity goals over merit in key security roles. Hawley specifically questioned the agency’s push for more female agents, suggesting that it may have influenced the decision to place an underqualified person in charge of such a high-stakes event.
The July rally was part of Trump’s continued efforts to rally support ahead of the 2024 election. The event was intended to be a celebration of Trump’s policies but quickly devolved into a chaotic scene after the shooting. Two others were critically injured, and the Secret Service’s inability to prevent the attack has led to significant public scrutiny. In the aftermath, Hawley has called for a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee investigation to uncover what went wrong and prevent future incidents.
