President Trump reflected on the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, during a Fox News interview aired on the shooting’s one-year anniversary. He praised the Secret Service but acknowledged “mistakes were made,” noting security lapses like no agents in the building and gaps in communication, calling it “a bad day” for the agency.
Trump emphasized his continued confidence in the agency, praising their overall talent and dedication. He said he’s “satisfied with it” after their post-incident briefing and believes the broader plot was contained despite the errors.
A Senate and Government Accountability Office report highlighted multiple serious failures: the shooter went undetected for 45 minutes, communications between the service and local police were weak, and vulnerable sightlines went unsecure. Six agents were suspended, and then-Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned in the aftermath.
Sen. Rand Paul called the case a “cultural cover-up” and demanded stronger congressional oversight, noting that at least 10 requests for additional security were ignored before the rally.
Trump’s resilience has reinforced his agenda. Allies see the incident as a turning point. Roger Stone and Steve Bannon say Trump believes he was “spared by God” to restore the nation and now operates with fresh urgency.
