Multiple Secret Service agents who were on duty during the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump are facing initial disciplinary action by the agency.
The agents, including the special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh field office who was in charge of Trump's safety that day in Butler, Pennsylvania, have reportedly been placed on administrative duty pending an investigation into their actions.
The Hill reports, "A source said as of Monday, at least five agents have been placed on that status, which removes them from operational assignments but still requires them to appear for work, including for actions such as speaking with lawmakers during a scheduled visit next week by a congressional task force assembled to review the shooting."
Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe had previously said that he would not "rush to judgement" amidst a sea of calls for agents involved to be fired. He also promised he would hold people accountable depending on the findings of an investigation into the incident. 🚨At least 5 Secret Service agents have been put on leave following the botched Trump assassination attempt
If this coward hiding behind Trump while he was getting shot at is not 1 of the 5, then the investigation is bullshit
She should be a mall cop, not a Secret Service agent https://t.co/lzkG1AeEM8 pic.twitter.com/X1CvVAJsMN
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) August 23, 2024
The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was able to shoot the president in the ear from less than 150 yards away, despite multiple rallygoers and members of law enforcement noticing his odd behavior long before the shooting took place.
In a statement on Friday, the Secret Service did not directly address the agents facing disciplinary actions.
“The U.S. Secret Service is committed to investigating the decisions and actions of personnel related to the event in Butler, Pennsylvania and the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump,” the agency said in a statement.
“The U.S. Secret Service’s mission assurance review is progressing, and we are examining the processes, procedures and factors that led to this operational failure. The U.S. Secret Service holds our personnel to the highest professional standards, and any identified and substantiated violations of policy will be investigated by the Office of Professional Responsibility for potential disciplinary action. Given this is a personnel matter, we are not in a position to comment further.”
