Trump shooting raises questions on secret service security lapses

Donald Trump is entitled—as a former president—to the highest level of professional protection expected for individuals in the nation's top offices. Since the assassination attempt, numerous questions have arisen about how this could have occurred. Republicans have announced an investigation into the matter.

In the initial hours following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, there were many expressions of gratitude towards the Secret Service agents protecting him. Trump, President Joe Biden, and Vice-President Kamala Harris all extended their thanks.

However, shortly thereafter, growing voices began to claim that the Secret Service was compromised during the rally in Pennsylvania, making several—perhaps glaring—mistakes.

Steve Nottingham, a former SWAT commander (specialised police unit), called the shooting at the Pennsylvania rally a "fundamental security failure." Jim Cavanaugh, a retired special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, who has participated in Secret Service operations, was surprised that the shooter managed to get onto the platform and take a position that allowed him to shoot Trump with a rifle—according to NBC News.

The Secret Service is a federal agency funded by taxpayers. The protection provided is very costly because its agents are top-tier professionals, and safeguarding high-profile politicians is complex and challenging.

Agents accompany presidents and former presidents not only during their public appearances; they begin working long before politicians appear at rallies and other events, using professional and costly equipment.

Donald Trump ceased to be president in January 2021. He is still entitled—as a former president—to the highest level of professional protection expected for individuals in the nation's top offices, provided by Secret Service agents.

He received this protection in 2015 when he became a presidential candidate (candidates are also entitled to protection). Prior to that, he used private security companies.

American law guarantees the Secret Service will protect every former president for life. It also covers spouses and children of former presidents, but only up to 16. The Secret Service protects children during their father's tenure but not afterwards.

When Donald Trump left the White House, he requested an extension of protection for his adult children for another six months. As reported by "The Washington Post," this concerned Ivanka Trump and her husband, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and their wives, and the former president’s youngest daughter, Tiffany Trump. The cost? $1.7 million, or approximately £1.6 million. Other former presidents, such as Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, have done similarly.

According to the non-governmental organisation CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington), in January 2021 alone—the first month after Donald Trump left the White House—American taxpayers paid $140,000, or over €137,000, just for the travel expenses of his children.

The cost of such protection is well illustrated by the example of two former national security advisers to Trump, who—although no longer working in the White House—received protection due to potential threats from Iran. According to CBS, in February 2024, a year of such protection cost over $12 million, or approximately €11 million.

In June, American media reported that the Secret Service was increasing the number of agents assigned to Donald Trump "to ensure the highest level of security not only at events but also during travel," explained agency spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi.

At an election rally in Pennsylvania, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks fired shots at Donald Trump while he was speaking on stage. A bullet grazed Trump. As a result of the attack, one rally participant died, and another was seriously injured. The assailant was shot dead. An AR-15 semi-automatic rifle was found next to his body. The shooter’s motive is not yet known.

The incident occurred two days before the National Republican Convention, at which Trump will be officially announced as the Republican Party's presidential candidate.

Republicans have already announced that they will begin investigating security lapses at the Pennsylvania rally, as reported by Reuters on Sunday. On 22nd July, the Head of the Secret Service was summoned for a special hearing by the Congressional committee.

Representatives from the FBI, the Secret Service, and the Department of Homeland Security will be questioned on the matter.