Several U.S. Secret Service agents have been suspended as part of an ongoing investigation into the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
The incident occurred during an outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.
Reports on Friday revealed that among those suspended is the head of the Pittsburgh field office.
A source familiar with the situation confirmed the suspensions to TMZ as the agency probes how the assassination attempt occurred under their watch.
The incident took place when Thomas Matthew Crooks climbed onto the roof of a nearby building and fired eight shots at Trump.
One of the bullets grazed Trump’s ear, while another killed a man in the crowd, and two others were wounded. Videos from the event show Crooks scouting the area, walking around the fairgrounds, and positioning himself on the roof, just a few hundred yards from Trump.
Despite being on law enforcement’s radar and even flying a drone over the event, Crooks managed to evade the police and the Secret Service. This has led to widespread criticism of the security arrangements, with the incident being described as a “massive security failure.”
In the aftermath of the attempt, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned due to increasing pressure and calls for her to step down. Her resignation followed the launch of a Congressional investigation into the events that unfolded in Butler.
While Congress conducts its investigation, the Secret Service’s internal affairs department is also continuing its probe into the attempted assassination.
Despite the incident, Trump has resumed holding outdoor rallies. This week, he spoke at an event in North Carolina, taking the stage from behind bulletproof glass for added protection.
