An independent panel of former law enforcement officials appointed by the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recommended a complete overhaul of Secret Service leadership after critically reviewing the agency’s security failures that almost led to the assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania. The panel criticized the Secret Service for its culture of “do more with less” and lack of critical thinking among agents. The panel led by individuals like Mark Filip and Janet Napolitano recommended replacing agency leadership with outsiders to address complacency.
The report highlighted various security failures at the Butler rally site, including the lack of proper blockades, failure to secure buildings the shooter accessed, and not responding to reports of suspicious individuals. The panel emphasized the lack of critical thinking among Secret Service personnel responsible for security that day. Recommendations included shedding non-security related responsibilities, such as investigative work focusing on financial crimes. The report also criticized the agency for not ramping up Trump’s security after learning of an assassination threat.
The panel noted failures in leadership experience among those responsible for site security at the rally, with the assigned site agent having limited experience and engagement in advance planning. Communication failures between the Secret Service and local law enforcement officers during the rally were also addressed, with the federal government being aware of and working on remedying these issues. While the panel praised agents for protecting Trump and taking out the shooter, bravery and selflessness alone were deemed insufficient to discharge the Secret Service’s protective mission.
The panel’s recommendation for leadership change within the Secret Service aimed to address deep-seated cultural issues, such as complacency and lack of critical thinking. The report called for a refreshment of leadership with new perspectives to resolve identified issues. The agency, currently led by Acting Director Ronald Rowe, was criticized for failing to properly secure the rally site and respond to potential threats in a timely manner. The panel also advised the agency to focus solely on security-related responsibilities to enhance its protective capabilities.
Failures identified in the report, including lack of experience among site security leaders and communication breakdowns with local law enforcement, were seen as part of broader systemic issues within the Secret Service. The report acknowledged efforts by the agency to create a more integrated communications system but highlighted the need for continuous improvement and learning from past mistakes. While the panel commended agents for their actions during the assassination attempt, the report emphasized the importance of evolving the agency’s culture and practices to ensure the successful execution of its protective mission.
