Mayorkas Highlights Security Lapses After Assassination Attempt on Trump
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas called the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump a “failure” of security, following a shooting incident at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. Mayorkas’ statement came amidst growing scrutiny of the Secret Service’s role in protecting high-profile political figures, including Trump.
Security Failure
Mayorkas described the shooting as a “failure,” stressing that an incident like this should not have occurred. His comments, made in an interview with CNN on July 15, came after President Joe Biden called for an “independent review” of the security planning surrounding the rally.
The attempted assassination unfolded when a 20-year-old gunman fired shots at Trump from the roof of a warehouse. The Secret Service had established security perimeters around the rally, but the warehouse was outside their designated zone, leaving it in the hands of local law enforcement to secure. Critics, however, argued that the Secret Service, responsible for protecting U.S. leaders, should have ensured the building was secure before the rally.
Accountability and Response
In response to accusations from some Republican lawmakers claiming that the Secret Service had failed to meet Trump’s security needs, Mayorkas rejected these assertions, calling them “baseless and irresponsible.”
He also confirmed that, following the shooting, security for Trump had been enhanced, with adjustments made to the protection of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as well. For the first time, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy would also be granted Secret Service protection.
Mayorkas reiterated his confidence in the Secret Service and its Director, Kimberly Cheatle, despite some complaints within the agency about her absence in the wake of the shooting. Cheatle herself had issued a statement saying the Secret Service acted swiftly during the incident, neutralizing the shooter and ensuring Trump’s safety.
Investigation and Future Measures
The Secret Service has since been working closely with both federal and local law enforcement to determine how the attack occurred and what measures can be taken to prevent future incidents. The agency has promised cooperation with any congressional investigations into the matter.
In the aftermath, a memo was issued reminding agents to retain text messages from around the time of the shooting, following the 2022 incident where text messages sent during the January 6 Capitol attack were erased.
The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of security protocols for U.S. political figures, with many calling for stronger measures to safeguard public events and political leaders.
