Task Force Calls for Secret Service Overhaul After Attacks

Task Force Calls for Secret Service Overhaul After Attacks \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A congressional task force investigating assassination attempts against Donald Trump during his presidential campaign has recommended significant changes to the U.S. Secret Service. These include reducing the number of people it protects, shifting some investigative responsibilities, and reconsidering the agency’s placement under the Department of Homeland Security. The report highlights staffing shortages, communication failures, and faulty planning as contributors to recent security lapses.

Task Force Calls for Secret Service Overhaul After Attacks: Quick Looks

• Key Findings: The task force cites severe security lapses in two Trump assassination attempts in 2024.
• Recommendations: Reduce foreign leader protection during elections, review investigative roles, and consider independence from DHS.
• Staffing Issues: Secret Service resources were stretched thin during the Pennsylvania shooting.
• Communication Failures: Poor coordination with local law enforcement exacerbated security risks.
• Focus on Mission: The report stresses prioritizing the “zero fail mission” of protecting U.S. leaders.

Deep Look

A new congressional report has cast a harsh light on the U.S. Secret Service, citing serious shortcomings in its ability to prevent two assassination attempts against Donald Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign. The bipartisan task force’s 180-page report details systemic issues within the agency and proposes sweeping reforms to bolster its protective mission.

Two Brazen Attempts, One Troubling Pattern

The report highlights two assassination attempts in 2024. The first occurred on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a shooter opened fire from a nearby rooftop, wounding Trump in the ear, killing one rallygoer, and injuring two others. The gunman, identified as Thomas Crooks, was ultimately neutralized by a countersniper.

The second attempt happened in September at Trump’s Florida golf course. A Secret Service agent thwarted the attack by spotting a firearm hidden in bushes near the property.

Both incidents underscored gaps in protection, prompting widespread criticism of the agency’s preparedness.

Staffing Shortages and Misallocation of Resources

One of the report’s key findings is that staffing shortages significantly hindered the Secret Service’s effectiveness. On the day of the Pennsylvania attack, the agency was stretched thin, providing protection for both Trump and First Lady Jill Biden, who was at a nearby event.

The report revealed that a counter-surveillance unit was deployed to Jill Biden’s indoor event but was not present at Trump’s rally, which took place outdoors. This decision left gaps in protection that the shooter exploited.

The task force concluded that resource allocation decisions were influenced by Trump’s status as a former president at the time, with agents assuming that additional requests for support would be denied.

Communication Breakdowns with Local Authorities

The report also highlighted poor communication and coordination between the Secret Service and local law enforcement during the Pennsylvania rally. Misaligned expectations about roles and responsibilities created vulnerabilities that allowed the shooter to gain access to a rooftop with a clear line of sight to Trump.

The task force emphasized that while the Secret Service often relies on local law enforcement for support, ultimate responsibility for ensuring site security lies with the agency.

Reforming the Secret Service’s Scope and Structure

Reduce Foreign Leader Protection During Elections

The report recommends reevaluating the agency’s role in protecting foreign leaders, particularly during critical periods like the U.N. General Assembly in September, which coincides with peak campaign season.

“Congress, DHS, and the USSS should jointly consider whether duties related to foreign leaders can be transferred or abrogated to focus on protecting U.S. leaders and candidates,” the report stated.

Shift Investigative Work to Other Agencies

Currently, the Secret Service conducts investigations into financial crimes, a legacy from its time under the Treasury Department. While these investigations serve as valuable training for agents, the task force argued they divert resources from the agency’s primary mission during campaign season.

“The Secret Service’s protective mission must take precedence,” the report said, calling for a review of non-protective duties during elections.

Reassess Placement Under DHS

The task force questioned whether the Secret Service benefits from being part of the Department of Homeland Security. Since its transfer from the Treasury Department after the 9/11 attacks, the agency has faced leadership instability and challenges advocating for its budget within the larger DHS framework.

Lawmakers suggested exploring the possibility of making the Secret Service an independent agency, which could allow it greater autonomy in securing resources and setting priorities.

The “Zero Fail Mission” Under Scrutiny

The report repeatedly stressed that the Secret Service’s protective mission leaves no room for error, highlighting the failures in planning and execution during the 2024 assassination attempts.

“The events of July 13, 2024, were tragic and preventable,” the report said, calling the litany of errors “unacceptable.”

Political Reactions and Next Steps

The task force’s findings have drawn bipartisan concern. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle acknowledged the need to address the agency’s challenges but differed on how to implement reforms.

As Congress debates the report’s recommendations, the Secret Service faces mounting pressure to demonstrate that it can adapt to an increasingly complex security environment.

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