A Department of Homeland Security report warned that “Butler can and will happen again” unless the Secret Service undergoes “fundamental reform.” The report pertains to the July 13 assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump at Butler, Pennsylvania.
“The Secret Service has become bureaucratic, complacent, and static even though risks have multiplied and technology has evolved,” an independent review panel wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. “The work of the Independent Review Panel uncovered not only numerous mistakes that led to the events of July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, but also deeper, systemic issues that must be addressed with urgency.”
The report describes the panel’s “deeper concerns” of the Secret Service, such as the “lack of critical thinking” among Secret Service agents.
“This critical thinking failure by Service personnel goes to a broader critical thinking flaw observed by the Panel,” the report found. “Interviewees revealed a surprising lack of rigor in considering the specific risks posed to particular individual protectees.”
“In another manifestation of lack of critical thinking, the Panel has observed that many of the Secret Service personnel involved in the events of July 13 appear to have done little in the way of self-reflection in terms of identifying areas of missteps, omissions, or opportunities for improvement,” it added.
Other “deeper concerns” in the report include the poor utilization of resources, lack of clarity in leadership, and the lack of ownership of site security problems by senior personnel.
“The Panel thanks the many individuals from the Secret Service, federal, state, and local law enforcement, and relevant third parties who gave their time, energy, and effort to facilitate the Panel’s work,” the report concluded. “The Panel also recognizes the selflessness, honor, and bravery of the women and men of the Secret Service, who are literally prepared to ‘take a bullet’ to discharge their duties.”
