By Servet Gunerigok
WASHINGTON (AA) - An independent US panel investigating this July’s attempt to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally reported that "deep flaws" within the Secret Service allowed the attack to take place.
"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," said the panel on Thursday, which was tasked by President Joe Biden, in a report addressing Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
It also called for the Secret Service – the force safeguarding current, past, and possible future presidents – to undergo "fundamental reform.”
"Thousands of men and women have dedicated their lives to the Secret Service, and we remain grateful to them for their bravery, selflessness, and willingness to serve in a vital role. But the Secret Service as an agency requires fundamental reform to carry out its mission. Without that reform, the Independent Review Panel believes another Butler can and will happen again," said a press release.
In a statement, Mayorkas said he had reviewed the Independent Review Panel’s report and met with panel members.
"We will fully consider the Panel’s recommendations and are taking the actions needed to advance the Secret Service’s protection mission. These actions will be responsive not only to the security failures that led to the July 13, 2024 assassination attempt, but, importantly, to what the Independent Review Panel describes as systemic and foundational issues that underlie those failures," he said in the statement.
Trump was wounded during an assassination attempt on July 13, when Thomas Matthew Crooks, a lone 20-year-old gunman, opened fire on him during a campaign rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania, grazing his right ear.
Crooks was killed by a Secret Service sniper.