An independent panel has found serious flaws within the United States Secret Service, which enabled an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.

The bipartisan panel warned that without significant reform, the agency is at risk of more catastrophic security breaches, as the Post Millennial reports.

The assassination attempt unfolded when Thomas Matthew Crooks scaled a building during the rally and opened fire on Trump. Eight shots were fired, with one bullet grazing Trump's ear before Crooks was neutralized by a counter-sniper.

The incident highlighted glaring vulnerabilities in the protective measures surrounding the former president.

Bipartisan Panel Investigates Secret Service Failures

The independent review was headed by a bipartisan group of four former senior law enforcement and government officials. To conduct a thorough investigation, the panel engaged in interviews with 58 state and federal law enforcement representatives and examined over 7,000 documents.

Their findings painted a troubling picture of the systemic issues within the Secret Service. The report revealed that the agency failed to inform Trump's security team of any suspicious behavior prior to or during the rally, a critical lapse that set the stage for the high-profile security breach.

More concerning were the systemic and cultural flaws identified within the USSS. The report noted a lack of decisive action and hesitation to raise alarms when threats arose, painting a picture of an agency in need of a significant overhaul.

Directors and Agencies Respond to the Report

USSS acting Director Ronald Rowe acknowledged the panel's findings but asserted that the Secret Service has already begun implementing operational and policy changes. "We have not been sitting back waiting for reports like this to come out," Rowe said. He further emphasized the agency's commitment to preventing future security failures like the July 13 incident.

Despite these assurances, another breach occurred on Sept. 15 when Ryan Routh accessed Trump's West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course just hours before the former president's arrival. This incident further underscored the agency's ongoing security concerns.

The panel cautioned that no budget, regardless of its size, can adequately address the deep-rooted issues recently uncovered. "Even an unlimited budget would not, by itself, remediate many of the failures," the panel warned.

Calls for Immediate Reforms in Security Measures

The report concluded with a direct call for action. The panel urged Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to implement immediate reforms to safeguard against future risks.

A letter accompanying the report starkly criticized the agency, describing it as "bureaucratic, complacent, and static." The panel insisted that significant reforms are necessary for the Secret Service to effectively fulfill its protective mission moving forward.

While the Secret Service becomes more introspective, it faces the challenge of overhauling an ingrained culture that shuns critical thinking and open communication. The agency's future effectiveness depends on fundamental changes, as called for by the bipartisan panel.

Committee Insights on Systemic Issues

The panel's examination highlighted an organizational culture that limits effectiveness. The lack of willingness to voice concerns about potential threats has been pinpointed as a major obstacle to effective operation. This cultural issue is viewed as a compounding factor in the faults leading to the attempted assassination.

Rowe's statement that the agency has begun to address these issues post-July 13 events highlights ongoing efforts at transformation. Yet, the panel remains skeptical, emphasizing the depth of reform required to prevent similar incidents effectively.

In addressing the deeply rooted problems within the USSS, the agency must successfully bridge the divide between operational changes and meaningful cultural shifts. Without integrating both aspects, vulnerabilities will persist.

The Bottom Line

The events in Butler have served as a stark reminder of the USSS's vulnerabilities in their vital mission.

The independent panel's report, overflowing with critical insights and urgent calls to action, sets a precedent for potential future reforms.