In the aftermath of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, Senator Ted Cruz has voiced severe criticism and demanded significant changes within the Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Cruz's condemnation comes amid ongoing Senate hearings to investigate the security lapses that allowed the attack to happen.
During a heated Senate hearing, Cruz questioned Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. about the security detail assigned to Trump. Cruz grilled Rowe on why the Trump security team’s requests for additional resources were denied, implying political motivations behind the decision. Rowe struggled to provide satisfactory answers regarding the communication failures between local law enforcement and the Secret Service during the critical moments leading up to the shooting.
New video of the moments before the Trump assassination attempt further shows that it makes zero sense the Secret Service simply missed the shooter.
He was literally running across the roof in plain sight.
pic.twitter.com/Lx7Z2Rq7kM— Greg Price (@greg_price11) July 31, 2024
The incident unfolded as a gunman, positioned on a rooftop, opened fire during Trump's rally. Despite witnesses in the crowd alerting security personnel about the armed individual, this crucial information was not communicated to the Secret Service agents on the ground. Rowe admitted that the information stayed within local channels and was not relayed to the Secret Service in time, raising serious questions about inter-agency communication protocols.
Cruz was not alone in his dismay. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) also expressed his frustration, noting that basic details about the security failure remained unclear even weeks after the incident. Johnson highlighted the troubling fact that the Secret Service had declined offers from local police to use their radios for direct communication, a decision that could have mitigated the response time to the threat.
An abandoned post.
An identified threat.
A President shot.
An American murdered.
An unacceptable lack of information from the Secret Service.
Watch: pic.twitter.com/KkvnRmxnRQ
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) July 30, 2024
The attempted assassination has prompted bipartisan calls for accountability and a thorough review of the Secret Service’s operational procedures. Lawmakers from both parties are demanding detailed explanations and corrective measures to prevent such lapses in the future. Representative Mark Green (R-TN) and Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) have requested documentation related to the event's security plan and threat assessments to ensure all protocols were followed appropriately.
In a bold move, Cruz has called for the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other top DHS officials. He echoed sentiments shared by prominent figures, including Elon Musk, who criticized the handling of the rally’s security. Musk pointed out that a Trump supporter had informed authorities about the shooter but was ignored, a claim that has intensified scrutiny on the agency's responsiveness and effectiveness.
The Secret Service has defended its actions, stating that the shooter was outside their designated security perimeter and that local law enforcement was expected to manage certain aspects of the security detail. However, this defense has not quelled the rising calls for significant reforms within the agency to restore public trust and ensure the safety of high-profile figures.
As the investigation continues, the pressure mounts on the Secret Service to provide transparent and comprehensive answers. The incident underscores the critical need for seamless communication and collaboration between federal and local agencies to safeguard against such threats in the future.
