Quick Hit:

A whistleblower claims the U.S. Secret Service declined local police assistance to deploy drones at the rally where former president Donald Trump was nearly assassinated.,.

Key Details:

• Event Date: The security lapse occurred during a Trump rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania.
• Whistleblower Allegations: Local law enforcement's offer to use drone technology for enhanced security was reportedly turned down by the Secret Service.
• Congressional Response: Senator Josh Hawley has demanded a thorough investigation and transparency from the Department of Homeland Security regarding these decisions.

Diving Deeper:

In the wake of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally on July 13, 2024, whistleblower allegations have emerged, suggesting severe lapses in the security measures employed by the U.S. Secret Service. According to a whistleblower, on the night before the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the Secret Service repeatedly refused offers from local law enforcement to utilize drone technology that could have bolstered security at the event.

These drones, which were readily available and capable of identifying potential threats such as active shooters, were turned down despite the high-profile nature of the rally and the apparent risks involved. This refusal came under intense scrutiny when, after the shooting incident, the Secret Service reportedly requested the same local drone technology to survey the site, indicating a possible lapse in preemptive security planning.

Senator Josh Hawley has taken these allegations seriously, addressing them in a detailed letter to Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. In his letter, Hawley questions the rationale behind the Secret Service's decision and underscores the need for a thorough investigation. He has demanded that all records and communications related to the use of drones at the Butler rally be provided within seven days and has called for Secretary Mayorkas to testify before Congress to explain these security failures.

"Josh Hawley" by Gage Skidmore licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED.