WASHINGTON D.C. – Six members of the U.S. Secret Service have been suspended without pay or benefits following an internal review into security lapses connected to the assassination attempt on then-presidential candidate Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.
The disciplinary actions, which impose suspensions ranging from 10 to 42 days, come after an incident the agency’s Deputy Director, Matt Quinn, publicly described as an “operational failure” and for which he stated the Secret Service is “totally accountable for Butler.”
The Incident in Butler
The attack occurred during a campaign rally where a gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, opened fire. The assailant’s gunfire grazed Mr. Trump’s ear, tragically killed firefighter Corey Comperatore, and wounded two other individuals before Crooks was fatally shot by a Secret Service sniper.
The immediate aftermath saw intense scrutiny of the agency’s protective measures and protocols. Just 10 days after the incident, Kimberly Cheatle resigned as Secret Service Director.
Findings of the House Task Force
A bipartisan House task force later investigated the security failures surrounding the assassination attempt. Their report, released in December 2024, concluded that the security lapses were not only “preventable” but also indicative of “broader issues” within the agency’s operational framework and culture.
Disciplinary Actions Taken
The suspensions issued to the six agents are formal disciplinary measures executed in accordance with a federally mandated process governing such actions within the federal workforce. The agents affected hold positions ranging from supervisory roles to line-level operational duties.
Upon their return from suspension, the disciplined agents have been placed on restricted duty or reassigned to roles with significantly less operational responsibility. This measure appears intended to limit their direct involvement in protective operations while potentially addressing underlying issues identified during the internal review.
Deputy Director Quinn defended the decision to suspend rather than terminate the agents, emphasizing the agency’s focus on understanding and addressing the “root cause” of the observed deficiencies that contributed to the security breach in Butler.
Appeals Underway
The impact of the suspensions is significant for the agents involved, affecting their livelihoods and careers within the elite protection agency. Reports indicate that at least two of the suspended agents are currently appealing the disciplinary actions taken against them.
The suspensions and the findings of the House task force underscore ongoing challenges for the Secret Service as it works to maintain the highest standards of protection for designated individuals, particularly in dynamic and potentially high-threat environments like political rallies.
The agency continues to review its protocols and training procedures in the wake of the July 13, 2024, incident, aiming to prevent future operational failures and restore public and governmental confidence in its critical mission.
