Homeland Security inspector general investigates Secret Service’s handling of security at Trump rally

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general announced Wednesday that he has opened an investigation into the Secret Service’s handling of former President Donald Trump’s security on election day. An armed man tried to assassinate him at a rally in Pennsylvania.

In a brief notice posted on the inspector general’s website, the agency said the purpose of the investigation is “to assess the U.S. Secret Service’s process for securing former President Trump’s July 13, 2024 campaign event.”

No date has been specified for the launch of the investigation. The notice is part of a long list of ongoing cases the inspector general’s office is working on.

President Joe Biden had already ordered an independent assessment of security at the rally.

Shooting raised questions on how the shooter was able to climb onto a roof with a clear line of sight to the former president, who said he was shot in the ear.

The 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was able to get within 135 yards of the stage where the former Republican president was speaking when he opened fire. This was despite Iranian threat on Trump’s life prompts additional security measures for the former president in the days leading up to Saturday’s rally.

A bloodied Trump was quickly escorted off the stage by Secret Service agents and agency snipers. killed the shooter. Trump said the upper part of his right ear was pierced in the shooting. One rallygoer was killed and two others were seriously injured.

Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle said the agency understands the importance of the investigation ordered by Biden and will participate fully in it and in the congressional committees investigating the shooting. She added that the agency is working to understand how Saturday’s shooting happened and to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again.

The agency, which has about 7,800 employees, is responsible for protecting presidents, vice presidents, their families, former presidents, their spouses and minor children under the age of 16, as well as a few other senior Cabinet officials such as the secretary of Homeland Security.