WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general said he has opened an investigation into the U.S. Secret Service’s handling of former President Donald Trump’s security on the day an armed man tried to assassinate him at a rally in Pennsylvania.
In a brief notice posted on the inspector general’s website, the agency said the purpose of the investigation is to “evaluate the United States Secret Service’s (Secret Service) process for securing former President Trump’s campaign event on July 13, 2024.”
The start date of the investigation was not announced. The notification was part of a long list of ongoing cases that the inspector general’s office is investigating.
President Joe Biden had already ordered an independent review of the rally’s security.
The shooting raised questions about how the shooter managed to climb onto a roof with a clear line of sight to the former president, who was injured.
The 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, managed to get within 135 meters (157 yards) of the stage where the former Republican president was speaking when he opened fire. This despite a threat to Trump’s life from Iran, leading to additional security for the former president in the days leading up to Saturday’s rally.
A bloodied Trump was quickly escorted off the stage by Secret Service agents and agency snipers. killed the shooter. Trump said the top of his right ear was pierced in the shooting. One rally participant was killed and two others seriously injured.
Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle said the agency understands the importance of the review ordered by Biden and would fully participate in it, as well as in congressional committees looking into the shooting. She said the agency is working to understand how Saturday’s shooting happened and to ensure something like this never happens again.
The agency of about 7,800 employees is responsible for protecting presidents, vice presidents, their families, former presidents, their spouses and minor children under the age of 16, and certain other high-level Cabinet officials, such as the secretary of Homeland Security. .
