Josh Hawley Criticizes Secret Service Shortcomings at Trump’s Butler Rally

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) has criticized the Secret Service for their handling of security at a July rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where there was an attempt on the life of former President Donald Trump. As per whistleblower reports, the lead advance agent responsible for Trump’s protection was allegedly unqualified, having failed important training exams. This agent, new to the Secret Service’s Pittsburgh office, was in charge of security at the event despite concerns about her competency.

Hawley expressed his dissatisfaction publicly, especially on Jesse Watters Primetime, where he stated, “This advance agent, I’m told, may have failed one or more of her training exams and was known not to be a top-quality agent. I mean, this is absurd.”

Intel is cutting 15,000 jobs but giving its CEO a $5 million pay raise. All while shelling out BILLIONS in China. That’s everything wrong with the C-Suite pic.twitter.com/GN0tLqjksz

— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) September 10, 2024

He argued that assigning her to oversee Trump’s security was incomprehensible and put both the former president’s life and the lives of attendees at risk.

The rally on July 13 took a tragic turn when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks shot at Trump from a nearby rooftop, grazing him and fatally shooting rally attendee Corey Comperatore. Whistleblowers later disclosed that the shooter exploited a significant security loophole—an unmanned rooftop post. Law enforcement officers were meant to be stationed on the roof but left their posts due to hot weather. This absence provided the shooter with a clear line of sight, heightening the security failures​.

Now I’m told the Department of Homeland Security is pressuring the Secret Service not to comply with document requests by Congress about the Trump assassination attempt.

What are they hiding from the American people? pic.twitter.com/lQt0bu6NNY

— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) September 13, 2024

Hawley has demanded immediate accountability for these failures. In a letter to Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe, he called for the removal of the lead agent from active duty pending the investigation. He also expressed concerns about Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, who partnered with the Secret Service for the event, lacking adequate training and experience in staffing presidential rallies.

The senator’s criticisms expand beyond individual agent performance. He accused the Secret Service of broader operational deficiencies, including inadequate threat assessments at the Butler rally site. According to whistleblowers, a notable oversight was the absence of the Secret Service’s Counter Surveillance Division (CSD), responsible for identifying and neutralizing external threats. Hawley contended that had CSD agents been present, they could have detected the shooter before he reached the rooftop.

Hawley’s push for accountability has initiated discussions on the Secret Service’s internal culture and decision-making. Some have condemned the organization for prioritizing diversity targets over merit in critical security positions. Hawley specifically questioned the agency’s emphasis on recruiting more female agents, suggesting it may have influenced the decision to appoint an unqualified individual to such a high-risk event.

The July rally was part of Trump’s campaign efforts leading up to the 2024 election. Initially intended as a celebration of Trump’s policies, the event turned chaotic after the shooting. Two others sustained critical injuries, and the Secret Service’s failure to prevent the attack has drawn significant public scrutiny. In response, Hawley has called for an investigation by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to uncover the failures and prevent future incidents.