The preliminary report on the first assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump reveals a series of critical security failures by the U.S. Secret Service, according to Sen. Rand Paul. These errors resulted in the tragic death of a Trump supporter and have raised significant concerns about the agency’s handling of the security surrounding the event.

Sen. Rand Paul, who helped draft the report as part of the Homeland Security Committee, has expressed strong criticism of the Secret Service's performance, citing a "litany of failures" that contributed to the near-fatal attempt on Trump's life, Breitbart reported.

The assassination attempt, which occurred earlier this year, led to the death of Corey Comperatore, a Pennsylvania firefighter, who was killed while protecting his family from gunfire. Paul called the incident a close brush with death for Trump, highlighting that security measures in place were insufficient to prevent the violence.

Sen. Rand Paul Calls Out ‘Litany of Failures’

Paul did not mince words in his assessment of the Secret Service's actions, emphasizing that the agency made numerous mistakes leading up to and during the attempt. "It’s not just one error," Paul said, stressing that every aspect of the preparation and response was flawed. The tragic outcome, according to him, was the result of preventable mistakes that could have been avoided.

Corey Comperatore’s death has become a focal point in the report, as it underscores the consequences of the security lapses. Comperatore had been attending the event as a Trump supporter and lost his life while shielding his loved ones from gunfire during the assassination attempt. The first attempt on Trump’s life, according to Paul, was a grave security failure that brought the former president perilously close to harm.

Second Attempt Highlights Continued Concerns

The report has also drawn attention to a second assassination attempt on Trump, which took place two months later. According to Paul, this second assailant spent 30 days preparing for the attack and meticulously planned the shooting. On the day of the attempt, the individual spent 12 hours polishing and aiming their weapon, waiting for an opportunity to target the former president.

Although the full investigation into the second attempt is still underway, initial findings suggest that security measures were again insufficient, despite the heightened risk. Paul expressed concern that repeated security failures could have resulted in even greater tragedy during this second attempt.

Counter Snipers Denied in Lead-Up to Attack

One of the most alarming revelations from the preliminary report is the repeated denial of Trump’s requests for additional security measures, including counter snipers, in the months leading up to the first assassination attempt. Paul emphasized that both Trump’s Secret Service detail and his campaign had repeatedly requested counter snipers for four to six months before the attack, but officials rejected these requests.

Paul pointed out that such security enhancements were critical and could have altered the outcome. The absence of counter-snipers, in particular, has been a key issue in the investigation, with Paul highlighting the dire consequences of this decision.

Bipartisan Effort Delayed by Lack of Records

Despite bipartisan pressure to release records of Trump’s security requests, there has been a notable delay in obtaining the necessary documentation. Paul has been at the forefront of this effort, questioning why the requested records have not been made available. The senator revealed that the Homeland Security Committee has been asking for six weeks for information on what security requests were made, who denied them, and the reasons behind those decisions.

The acting director of the Secret Service, Ronald Rowe Jr., confirmed that he had seen the requested information but has yet to provide it to Paul or the committee. This lack of transparency has added to the frustrations surrounding the investigation and the broader concerns over the agency’s handling of Trump’s security.

Counter Snipers Prevent Further Tragedy in Second Attempt

During the second assassination attempt, the presence of counter-snipers ultimately played a pivotal role in preventing further tragedy. Paul stressed that without the counter-snipers, the outcome could have been far worse. The shooter managed to fire eight shots, but if not for the intervention of these snipers, Paul speculated that the number could have been far higher, with potentially catastrophic results.

The importance of these snipers underscores the significance of the earlier requests for their deployment, making the initial denial even more concerning in hindsight.

Sen. Paul Calls for Accountability and Reform

In light of the findings from the preliminary report, Paul has called for significant changes within the Secret Service. He criticized the level of incompetence demonstrated during both assassination attempts, stating that the agency must do better to protect the individuals in its care.

Paul also insisted that the Secret Service must punish the mistakes made and has advocated for replacing those responsible to ensure that similar errors do not occur in the future.

As the investigation into the second assassination attempt continues, Paul and his colleagues on the Homeland Security Committee will be pressing for further answers and accountability from the Secret Service. The report has already highlighted significant gaps in security, and the pressure to improve protection for high-profile figures is only growing.