A Secret Service whistleblower has come forward with allegations of a major security lapse that took place during former President Donald Trump's recent visit to his Florida golf course.

The incident, involving an armed man, and subsequent revelations have raised serious concerns about the Secret Service's preparedness to protect the former president after the would-be assassin, Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was apprehended after allegedly attempting to target Trump with an AK-47 at the golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, as the Daily Mail reports.

Trump was golfing when Routh reportedly aimed the rifle through a chain-link fence, sparking immediate concern. The whistleblower, a former Secret Service agent, alleges that agents initially spotted Routh but failed to follow standard protocol for securing the area.

Secret Service Protocol Questioned After Incident

The situation has led to significant criticism of the Secret Service, with Republican Sen. Josh Hawley leading the charge.

Hawley noted that agents did not secure known vulnerabilities along the golf course, stating, "Protocol calls for Secret Service to station agents along the places in the course that are known vulnerabilities. They did not do that this last weekend, and the whistleblowers tell me that's strange, that's out of protocol."

The senator added that the perimeter of the course might not have been properly swept before Trump began golfing, which he described as another breach of protocol. These concerns come on the heels of a separate security issue just two months ago when Trump was grazed by a bullet at a rally in Pennsylvania.

Suspect Flagged by FBI But Case Closed

Routh, who has a history of petty crimes, had previously been flagged by the FBI in 2019 for erratic behavior. Despite these warnings, his case was eventually closed, and no follow-up actions were taken.

According to former Secret Service agent Rich Starpoli, this oversight was a critical error. "What did they do here? They went out, they interviewed this guy, they closed the case, they put it on a shelf...how about notifying local law enforcement for some follow-up? Yet it wasn't done," Starpoli said.

Starpoli further criticized the FBI for not sharing this information with the Secret Service, pointing out that communication breakdowns may have contributed to the security lapse. "You're telling me that the Secret Service with a $4 billion budget and 7,000 employees can't predict and can't pre-post an event that's going to happen on a golf course?" Starpoli questioned.

Concerns Raised About Security Measures

Trump himself has also expressed concerns about the level of security provided during the golf outing. "We need more people here," Trump said, adding that his personal detail did a "fantastic job," but there were not enough agents present to ensure complete safety. "Somebody could have missed the barrel of that rifle," Trump continued, referring to the potential for harm.

The Secret Service has defended its actions, with Acting Director Ron Rowe stating that the agency had a security plan in place and that agents acted promptly when the situation unfolded.

"As former President Trump was moving through the fifth fairway, across the course and out of sight of the sixth green, the agent, who was visually sweeping the area of the sixth green, saw the subject armed with what he perceived to be a rifle and immediately discharged his firearm," Rowe explained.

Investigation Into Weapon Acquisition

In addition to the security breach, law enforcement officials are now investigating how Routh was able to obtain an AK-47, given his criminal history. Routh is currently facing charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Authorities are also trying to determine whether Routh acted alone or if others were involved in the plot to target Trump.

The fact that Routh had previously traveled to Ukraine in 2022, where he reportedly exhibited erratic behavior, has added another layer of concern. This behavior led to additional reports to U.S. authorities, but no significant action was taken. It remains unclear if Routh's time in Ukraine played a role in his actions during the recent incident.

Whistleblower Raises Alarms About Future Security

The whistleblower's claims have prompted renewed calls for the Secret Service to evaluate its protocols and make adjustments where necessary. "It's not even clear the Secret Service swept the perimeter before Trump took to the course, also a breach of protocol, and they want to know why and so do I," said Sen. Hawley, echoing the concerns of many who question the agency's current security measures.

As the investigation into the breach continues, the Secret Service faces increased scrutiny, particularly regarding the handling of Routh's background and potential warning signs. Many are now calling for additional agents to be stationed at events involving high-profile figures like Trump to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.

Conclusion

In summary, the whistleblower’s claims of a security lapse during former President Trump’s golf outing in Florida have raised serious concerns about the Secret Service's ability to follow protocol and protect high-profile individuals.

With the suspect now facing serious charges and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his actions, the incident has become a focal point of criticism and a call for reform within the agency.