Whistleblower claims have emerged suggesting serious shortcomings in the training protocol for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents who were tasked with providing security during a rally for former President Donald Trump on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania. This alarming assertion comes on the heels of a chaotic incident where a gunman nearly claimed Trump’s life.
In a letter addressed to Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe, Republican Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri relayed the whistleblower’s concerns regarding the preparation—or lack thereof—afforded to HSI agents prior to the event. According to the whistleblower, the only instruction these agents received was a two-hour Microsoft Teams webinar, an approach that raises eyebrows given the high-stakes environment they were entering.
The incident itself was fraught with peril, leading to questions about how a 20-year-old suspect was able to fire shots at Trump from a nearby elevated rooftop. This escalation highlights the essential need for effective training and preparedness in protective roles.
Interestingly, the whistleblower noted the technical challenges faced during the training sessions, stating, “Imagine 1,000 people logging onto Microsoft Teams at the same time after being informed at the last minute that everyone needed to login individually. Once it got rolling, the Secret Service instructor couldn’t figure out how to get the audio working on the prerecorded videos…” Further complicating matters, it was reported that the training videos had not been updated since a prior assassination attempt.
Hawley did not hold back, alleging that there were more HSI agents present at the rally than members of the Secret Service, thereby raising questions about the adequacy of security arrangements at the event. He expressed concern in his letter, articulating that “a significant number of personnel tasked with providing security for former President Trump at the July 13 rally were egregiously under-prepared by the Secret Service.” Additionally, he pointed out that HSI agents had been diverted from crucial child exploitation investigations to fulfill these duties.
In defense, the Secret Service has stated that while they indeed collaborate with local law enforcement and HSI, those responsible for the direct protection of Trump were all agency members. They emphasized that securing the venue is distinct from guarding the president himself.
On the day of the rally, while Trump survived the attack—sustaining a bullet wound to his ear—two attendees were injured, and one tragically lost their life. This harrowing event has since prompted bipartisan cries for accountability, leading to the resignation of former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who publicly acknowledged her responsibility in the security failure.
“I take full responsibility for the security lapse,” she had mentioned in an email to her staff, indicating the gravity of the situation.
Senator Hawley’s inquiries hinge on critical questions regarding the training curriculum provided to HSI agents and whether changes had been made since the incident. He has also pushed for clarity on the allocation of agents during the rally, particularly those reassigned from sensitive investigations. The focus now shifts to what measures will be taken in response to these startling claims.
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