The Secret Service has criticized local Pennsylvania police for their failure to secure the area around the rally where 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump. Secret Service official Anthony Gugliemi stated that local police were responsible for securing the AGR International Inc. plant grounds, approximately 130 yards from the rally, as reported by the New York Times.
Residents living near the Butler Farm Show Grounds expressed surprise and concern over the lack of communication from law enforcement. Valerie Fennell, whose home is close to the fairgrounds, said, “Nobody contacted me. Nobody. Nobody called me, nobody stopped here,” highlighting the absence of any security measures or notifications in her neighborhood.
During the rally, attendees noticed Crooks behaving suspiciously near the metal detectors and informed local police, who then alerted the Secret Service. Despite these warnings, Crooks managed to evade detection, carrying a rifle and moving between rooftops before reaching the AGR facility.
At around 6:10 p.m., a local officer confronted Crooks on the AGR roof, but Crooks fired eight shots, hitting Trump in the ear, critically injuring two attendees, and killing Corey Comperatore. Secret Service snipers quickly neutralized Crooks.
The Secret Service stated that relying on local law enforcement for event security is standard procedure. However, Pennsylvania police emphasized that the Secret Service has ultimate responsibility. “Secret Service always has the lead on securing something like this,” said Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police.
In response to the incident, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) announced plans to call Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle for a hearing on July 22 to investigate the security lapses that nearly led to Trump’s assassination. This hearing aims to address the failures and improve security measures for future events.
