5 Secret Service Agents Put On Leave As Trump Assassination Attempt Unfolds

Daily Report August 23,2024

The head of the Secret Service field office in Pittsburgh and several other agents were placed on leave as an investigation unfolds into a failed assassination attempt last month on former President Donald Trump.

As CBS News reported, the agents were benched while the agency’s internal affairs division investigates how a 20-year-old sniper fired on Trump during his July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

It is not clear how many agents were placed on leave and exactly when the decision was made. The Pittsburgh agents’ suspension has fueled speculation among these sources that their field office may be ultimately held accountable for the security failures.

Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said he could not comment on the specifics of what happened to the agents or any disciplinary actions, calling it a personnel matter. He did not go into any detail, but he confirmed that the agency’s review is “progressing.”

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“The US Secret Service is committed to investigating the decisions and actions of personnel related to the event in Butler, Pennsylvania and the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump,” Guglielmi said in a statement to The Post.

“The US Secret Service’s mission assurance review is progressing, and we are examining the processes, procedures and factors that led to this operational failure.”

“The US Secret Service holds our personnel to the highest professional standards, and any identified and substantiated violations of policy will be investigated by the Office of Professional Responsibility for potential disciplinary action,” he added.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Secret Service Chief Kimberly Cheatle — a 28-year veteran of the agency resigned less than two weeks after the debacle. After her departure, further congressional scrutiny saw Acting Director Ronald Rowe telling lawmakers that he was “embarrassed” and vowing a thorough investigation of the breakdown.

Congress is also investigating the assassination attempt and how it was that event was managed by the Secret Service. Next week, a group of Butler locals is set to meet with members of the congressional Trump Assassination Attempt Task Force.