US Secret Service acknowledges security failures during Trump rally shooting

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The United States Secret Service has recognized significant security shortcomings during a July campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, where he was shot at and sustained a minor injury. An internal review revealed deficiencies in security planning and communication with local law enforcement, as stated by acting director Ronald Rowe.

The July 13 incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, involved a gunman who fired from a rooftop, grazing Trump’s ear and injuring three attendees, one fatally. Critics have raised concerns over the agency’s response, highlighting a 20-minute delay in local officers alerting the Secret Service to the potential threat.

The review identified poor communication with local law enforcement, reliance on mobile devices instead of the agency's radio system, and unresolved safety concerns regarding the gunman’s vantage point.

In response to the findings, the agency has proposed a need for increased funding and personnel to enhance preparedness. The US House of Representatives has passed a bill to extend Secret Service protection for presidential candidates to the same level as current presidents, pending Senate approval and the President’s signature.

Rowe confirmed that Trump now receives the same security level as a sitting president, particularly after a second attempted assassination on September 15 at his golf course in Florida, where a gunman was apprehended before any shots were fired.