Senate Report Blasts Secret Service Over ‘Inexcusable’ Failures in Trump Assassination Attempt

A U.S. Senate investigation into the July 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump has sharply criticized the Secret Service for what it called a series of “inexcusable” failures in intelligence handling, security coordination, and threat response.

The attempted assassination occurred on July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the then-Republican presidential candidate was shot and injured. Trump suffered a grazed ear, while one bystander was killed and two others injured before a government sniper fatally shot the 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Crooks.

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, led by Senator Rand Paul, released a scathing report on the incident Sunday, marking the first anniversary of the attack.

“What happened was inexcusable,” the report declared. “The disciplinary actions taken so far fail to reflect the severity of the security lapse that nearly cost a former president his life.”

The report noted a “cascade of preventable failures,” including the Secret Service’s failure to act on credible threats, poor coordination with local authorities, and lack of aerial surveillance.

Senator Paul said, “It was a complete breakdown of security at every level—fueled by bureaucratic indifference, weak protocols, and a refusal to act on direct intelligence.”

Despite these failures, no staff have been terminated. Six unidentified personnel were disciplined, receiving suspensions ranging from 10 to 42 days without pay and reassignment to non-operational roles.

The Secret Service acknowledged its shortcomings, citing communication, human, and technical errors. The agency said reforms are underway, including a new division dedicated to aerial threat monitoring and improved inter-agency coordination.

Reflecting on the attempt in a recent Fox News interview, Trump said, “Mistakes were made,” but expressed satisfaction with the overall investigation. He praised the sniper’s decisive action, noting, “If he didn’t do that, it could’ve been much worse.”

Trump has often recalled the incident, describing it as “unforgettable,” adding, “I got whacked, there’s no question. Thankfully, I got down fast.”

On the anniversary of the attack, Trump told reporters: “God was protecting me. I don’t like to think about it too much, but being president is a dangerous job.”