CONGRESSMAN JONATHAN L. JACKSON CALLS FOR REFORM AFTER BIPARTISAN SENATE REPORT ON SECRET SERVICE FAILURES

CONGRESSMAN JONATHAN L. JACKSON CALLS FOR REFORM AFTER BIPARTISAN SENATE REPORT ON SECRET SERVICE FAILURES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: September 25, 2024

Senate Releases Bipartisan Report on Secret Service Failures During Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, along with the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, released a bipartisan interim report detailing significant security failures by the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) during the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The report, led by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Rand Paul (R-KY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Ron Johnson (R-WI), highlights critical lapses in security planning, communications, and coordination that directly contributed to the incident. Key findings include a lack of a clear chain of command, poor coordination with state and local law enforcement, inadequate resources and equipment, and a failure to secure the site effectively.

Senator Gary Peters, Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, stated, “The Secret Service’s failures that allowed an assassination attempt on former President Trump were shocking, unacceptable, and preventable. Our bipartisan interim report makes recommendations for needed reforms to address these serious failures and ensure the Secret Service has the tools and resources they need to prevent another disaster like this from happening.”

Senator Rand Paul, Ranking Member, added, “Our initial findings clearly show a series of multiple failures of the U.S. Secret Service and an inexcusable dereliction of duty. Someone needs to be held accountable for these egregious failures.”

In response to this report, Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson stated:

There is no place for violence in American politics.  That is why I joined with my colleagues in the House to unanimously approve additional funding for the U.S. Secret Service. But funding alone is not enough, the Secret Service needs significant reforms.  In addition to the multiple attempts and plots against the former President, we have seen a rise in threats against Supreme Court Justices and other elected officials and candidates for office. 

Additionally, we must lower the temperature of American political discourse.  We said this after the attempted assassination of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, we said the same thing after the attempted assassination of Congressman Steve Scalise, and we said the same thing after the FIRST attempted assassination of former President Trump.  The stakes are too high for us to continue business as usual.  Not only are our lives on the line, but our republic is also on the line.  If we fall into government based on violence, threats, fear, and intimidation; we lose the last bastion of freedom, liberty, and justice in the world.

America is the last best hope for a better world, we cannot allow political division and violence to destroy the dreams of our founder.”

The report also includes recommendations to improve the Secret Service’s protective mission, emphasizing the need for better communication, enhanced coordination with other law enforcement agencies, and upgraded technology and resources.

###