Report: Security Requests Denied Before Trump Assassination Attempt

Kokcha News Agency – A new report sheds light on the events leading up to the assassination attempt on U.S. President Donald Trump in July 2024, prior to the November 2024 presidential election.

The report, released in the U.S., reveals that the Secret Service, responsible for protecting former and current presidents, received multiple requests to increase Trump’s security before the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. However, all these requests were reportedly denied.

According to CBS News, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s report indicates that “at least 10 requests” from Trump’s security team were either rejected or not fulfilled by the Secret Service.

These requests allegedly included “additional resources,” such as an advanced anti-drone system and counter-snipers.

On July 13, 2024, a 20-year-old named Thomas Crooks launched an armed attack on Trump during a rally speech, lightly injuring Trump in the ear. Security personnel at the scene intervened, killing the assailant and one attendee. Two others were reported to be seriously injured.

Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky described the Secret Service’s response to the attack as a “series of errors” on CBS News’ “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”

The Senator, who chairs the committee that drafted the report, claimed there was a “cover-up culture” within the Secret Service, stating, “The report reveals a disturbing pattern of communication failures and negligence that resulted in a preventable tragedy.” Paul added that there was no excuse for the situation, stating that “so far, the consequences of the failures do not reflect the gravity of the situation.”

The report also leveled accusations against Kimberly Cheatle, the former director of the Secret Service, who resigned following criticism and pressure after the assassination attempt on Trump.

According to the report, Cheatle stated during a congressional hearing that “there were no rejected requests for U.S. Secret Service assets” before the Butler rally where the assassination attempt occurred. Paul argued that this statement was not true.

Cheatle responded to the allegations in the report with a statement, acknowledging that “mistakes were made and reform is needed,” but claimed that the day of Trump’s assassination attempt was “a storm of events.”

Cheatle, who testified in Congress 10 days after the assassination attempt, stated that information she received from both her staff and personnel responsible for Trump’s security confirmed that requests for additional support were not denied. The U.S. official also denied allegations of making false statements.