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Secret Service Pittsburgh Staff On Leave After Incident: Report

 August 24, 2024

In a significant development, several members of the U.S. Secret Service's Pittsburgh Field Office have been placed on administrative leave in the wake of an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

The aftermath of the July 13 incident has triggered a comprehensive review within the Secret Service, alongside calls from lawmakers for a shake-up in personnel, Fox News reported.

The event in question unfolded in Butler, Pennsylvania, where former President Trump faced an assassination attempt that resulted in quick administrative actions against the involved Secret Service members.

Despite the critical nature of the incident, a select group of Secret Service agents directly assigned to Trump's detail remains active and has not been suspended. This decision highlights the nuanced approach the agency is taking in response to the situation.

Following the assassination attempt, the Secret Service launched a mission assurance review to scrutinize every procedural and decision-making aspect leading up to the event. This includes assessing the preparedness and response strategies employed during the incident.

Resignation and Review in the Wake of the Crisis

Amidst the unfolding controversy, former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle stepped down from her position. She resigned shortly after she faced Congress to discuss the events and the agency's response.

The shootout during the assassination attempt tragically killed Corey Comperatore and seriously injured David Dutch and James Copenhaver. Former President Trump narrowly escaped with a minor injury—a grazed ear.

Police-worn body camera footage revealed significant lapses in the security setup on the day of the attempt. The footage captured discussions among local law enforcement, who criticized the Secret Service's handling of the security measures at the critical site.

Security Flaws Highlighted in Body Cam Footage

An unnamed police officer expressed frustration with the body camera footage, criticizing the placement of personnel and the overall security preparation by the Secret Service.

James Copenhaver provided another layer of insight into the chaotic moments before the attack with a video he recorded. The video purportedly shows an unidentified figure moving on the roof of a building just seconds before the gunman opened fire.

The Secret Service agents overlooked the radios that Butler County's tactical command had set aside for them, which should have been part of their standard operational preparation for such high-profile visits.

Task Force to Probe Deep into the Assassination Attempt

As part of ongoing efforts to fully understand the sequence of events on July 13, the congressional Trump Assassination Attempt Task Force plans to visit Butler. This visit aims to gather further details and possibly eyewitness accounts of the day's events.

Anthony Guglielmi, Chief of Communications for the USSS, emphasized the agency's commitment to thoroughly investigating the incident. "The U.S. Secret Service is committed to investigating the decisions and actions of personnel related to the event in Butler, Pennsylvania, and the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump," he stated.

Guglielmi also added to the discussion on the investigation, stating, "The U.S. Secret Service’s mission assurance review is progressing, and we are examining the processes, procedures, and factors that led to this operational failure."

Continuing Fallout and Scrutiny of Secret Service Operations

The ongoing review and the high-profile nature of the incident continue to spotlight the operational standards and crisis response capabilities of the Secret Service.

This incident not only highlights the challenges that security personnel face in protecting high-profile figures but also serves as a catalyst for potential reforms in planning and executing such protective missions.

As the investigation continues and the Task Force prepares for its visit to Butler, everyone will focus on the outcomes of the reviews and the potential for significant changes within the Secret Service to prevent such security lapses in the future.