A new report claims that multiple Secret Service agents have been placed on leave following the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump at his July 13 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Three sources in the Secret Service Community told Real Clear Politics that several Secret Service agents at the agency’s Pittsburgh Field Office have been placed on administrative leave following the assassination attempt by Thomas Matthew Crooks that resulted in Trump being shot in the ear, two Trump supporters being seriously injured, and a retired fire chief being killed.
Real Clear Politics noted that administration leave typically involves a federal employee temporarily leaving their position due to an investigation into potential misconduct or for a medical or mental health reason. The outlet explained that while federal employees on administrative leave typically receive their usual pay and benefits, the agency’s leadership ultimately can decide whether or not to continue paying the employees.
According to Real Clear Politics, sources have indicated that while multiple agents at the Pittsburgh Field Office have been placed on administrative leave, other agents, including multiple agents assigned to the former president’s permanent protective detail, are continuing to provide protection for Trump. The sources told Real Clear Politics that the other agents are continuing to provide protection for Trump even though some of them were also involved in the failed security plan at the Butler Trump rally.
READ MORE: Videos: Trump shooter spotted jumping across roofs before assassination attempt
Following the resignation of former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, Ronald Rowe was appointed acting director of the agency. During a recent Senate hearing, Rowe described the assassination attempt as a “failure of imagination,” telling lawmakers, “I cannot defend why that roof was not better secured.”
Real Clear Politics reported that Dan Bongino, a conservative personality who previously worked in the Secret Service, recently said his colleagues were “horrified” at Rowe and were “ashamed at what this agency has become.”
“I’m not talking about a small cadre of them,” Bongino stated. “I’m talking about a big group of former agents [who] are on fire about what happened here – they are horrified about what’s going on with this agency.”
Real Clear Politics reported that other Secret Service agents have blamed Rowe and other top government officials for making decisions prior to the July 13 campaign rally that set Secret Service agents up for failure. A source in the Secret Service community said, “Leadership’s mismanagement of technology and personnel are what led to the failures in Butler, but they are not the ones being held accountable.”
