Secret Service Personnel Reassigned Following Security Failure at Trump Rally
ICARO Media Group
Multiple Secret Service personnel from the Pittsburgh Field Office and one member of Donald Trump's security detail have been reassigned to administrative duties and ordered to work from home, according to a source familiar with the matter. The reassignment comes after the Secret Service faced criticism for security failures that allowed a gunman to fire eight rounds at the former president during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13th.
Reports from various news outlets indicate that the Secret Service officials are currently on administrative leave but are still working. However, they are prohibited from involvement in any operational activities. The move comes in response to mounting pressure from lawmakers demanding accountability and discipline for those responsible for the security lapse.
Acting Deputy Director Ronald Rowe had previously stated his intention to wait until after the investigation was complete before taking any disciplinary action. The agency is now facing multiple inquiries, including an internal review, congressional investigations, and an independent commission established by the Department of Homeland Security.
During a recent news conference, Rowe candidly admitted, "This was a Secret Service failure," pointing to the agency's admission of responsibility rather than shifting blame onto local authorities as had previously been suggested. He emphasized that steps should have been taken to cover the roof where the assailant had positioned himself.
In response to the incident, Anthony Guglielmi, Chief of Communications for the U.S. Secret Service, issued a statement on Friday reiterating the agency's commitment to thoroughly investigating the decisions and actions of personnel involved in the event and the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. Guglielmi acknowledged the ongoing mission assurance review, which aims to identify the processes, procedures, and factors that led to the operational failure.
Guglielmi further stated that any identified and substantiated policy violations would be subject to investigation by the Office of Professional Responsibility, potentially resulting in disciplinary measures. Given that the matter involves personnel, the Secret Service declined to comment further on the situation.
The reassignment of Secret Service personnel underscores the magnitude of the security lapse during the Trump rally and signals a step towards accountability within the agency. As the investigations progress, the Secret Service will be under scrutiny to ensure such failures are not repeated, and that the safety and security of former presidents and other officials are upheld to the highest professional standards.