In a stunning revelation, a government report has exposed that the Secret Service was warned of a potential threat to President Donald Trump 10 days before a near-fatal assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
According to the Washington Examiner, the report, released on Saturday, detailed critical security failures by the Secret Service that led to the July 13, 2024, incident, during which a shooter fired eight shots, grazing Trump’s ear, killing one attendee, and injuring two others.
The warning about a possible attempt on Trump’s life was received by the Secret Service well in advance of the event. Despite this, senior-level officials did not share the information with state and local law enforcement agencies responsible for securing the rally. The threat was not specific to the Butler event or a particular individual, but the lack of communication left security personnel unprepared.
On July 13, 2024, Trump, then a candidate, was addressing supporters at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when the attack occurred. A 20-year-old shooter unleashed eight shots toward the stage, one of which grazed Trump’s ear. Tragically, the gunfire killed Corey Comperatore, a rally attendee, and left two others injured before a counter-sniper neutralized the shooter.
The incident marked the first assassination attempt on a current or former president since 1981, underscoring the gravity of the security lapse. Security for the event was a shared responsibility between Trump’s detail and agents from the Secret Service’s Pittsburgh office. However, reviews later revealed inadequate communication among Secret Service agents and with local law enforcement officials present at the rally.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, requested by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, was made public on Saturday and painted a damning picture of the Secret Service’s performance. It highlighted procedural errors, planning mistakes, and a misallocation of resources as key factors in the failure to prevent the attack. The report also noted a lack of training and siloed information-sharing practices that kept critical threat details from reaching those developing site security plans.
Sen. Grassley described the findings as providing “a comprehensive overview of the failures that occurred prior to and on July 13th.” In a separate statement, he added, “One year ago, a series of bad decisions and bureaucratic handicaps led to one of the most shocking moments in political history.” He further criticized the agency, stating, “The Secret Service’s failure on July 13th was the culmination of years of mismanagement and came after the Biden administration denied requests for enhanced security to protect President Trump.”
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., expressed strong concerns about the incident, saying, “This type of negligence, in my opinion, is not accidental, it's intentional.” She continued, “The angle in which the president was shot from was actually left, in my opinion, open, and this reeks of an inside job.” Her remarks reflect growing frustration among some lawmakers over the apparent lapses in security protocols.
On Thursday, the Secret Service announced disciplinary actions against six agents involved in the Butler incident. The agents, who had been on restricted duty during an internal review, received suspensions ranging from 10 to 42 days without pay. This move signals an acknowledgment of accountability, though questions remain about broader systemic issues within the agency.
The GAO report offered eight specific recommendations to improve Secret Service practices and prevent similar incidents in the future. These include creating a detailed checklist for agents’ roles during events and establishing methods to anticipate potential adversary tactics. Additionally, the report urges the development of processes to share actionable threat information with relevant parties.
Other recommendations focus on managing risks by disseminating known threat details and maintaining a comprehensive list of assets for protecting individuals. The report also calls for documenting training requirements to ensure agents are adequately prepared. Further, it suggests formalizing requirements for the Aviation and Air Security Division to strengthen overall readiness.
The GAO advises the Secret Service to develop a policy by 2026 for conducting capability assessments to address communication challenges before large events. This long-term goal aims to tackle one of the core issues exposed by the Butler incident: poor coordination. Such a policy could help ensure that vital information is not overlooked in future security operations.
One critical finding was the Secret Service’s lack of a process to share classified information with other law enforcement agencies when a threat is not considered imminent. This gap meant that local officials, who were integral to securing the rally, operated without full knowledge of potential dangers. The report emphasizes the need for new mechanisms to bridge this divide and enhance collaboration.
The Butler incident has raised serious questions about the Secret Service’s ability to protect high-profile figures amid evolving threats. As investigations continue, the agency faces pressure to implement the GAO’s recommendations swiftly and transparently. The safety of public figures and attendees at large events hangs in the balance as reforms are considered.