Secret Service Chief admits failures in Trump rally shooting

Chief of the Secret Service (USSS), Kimberly Cheatle, admitted to shortcomings in securing the election rally where Donald Trump was shot, describing them as "unacceptable." She took responsibility for the failure to prevent the attack but announced that she would not resign.

"It was unacceptable. (...) The responsibility lies with me," Cheatle said on Monday in an interview with ABC News, Greenwich Time.

However, she partially blamed local authorities who collaborated with the Secret Service in securing the rally. She noted that USSS agents quickly acted to apprehend the attacker after rally participants spotted him on the roof of a building just outside the secured area.

"There was local police in the building. There was also local police in the vicinity, responsible for what is outside the building," Cheatle emphasised.

The Washington Post noted that the Secret Service coordinates the overall security plan for events involving presidents, former presidents, and other high-ranking officials. It also bears the main responsibility, among other things, for preventing risks associated with a potential long-range firearm attack and issuing instructions to local police regarding securing buildings from which an attack could occur.

A few hours before the airing of Cheatle's interview with ABC, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas described the shooting incident as "a security failure." However, he did not blame the services. He assured them he had "hundred percent trust" in them and Cheatle. The Secretary also informed that in the wake of Saturday's attack, the Secret Service has increased protection measures for Trump, current President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Mayorkas announced the urgent formation of a team to conduct an independent review of the shortcomings. Legislators on Capitol Hill are also launching investigations, including James Comer, chairman of the oversight committee in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Experts point out the staffing issues that the Secret Service has been struggling with for many years. "The USSS operates in a state of permanent understaffing and cost-cutting, which often forces them to take shortcuts. Anyone who thinks otherwise does not have a realistic view of the matter," said former service officer Dan Kaszeta.

Kaszeta highlighted that the already overstretched resources of the 8,000-strong service are further strained during the intense election campaign period.

Kaszeta also noted that in similar situations, the service relies on cooperation with local police and law enforcement, which in places like the rural Butler may also lack the necessary resources and experience. According to him, this may explain the unsecured roof.

"It was almost certainly the task of the local police to provide someone to secure these structures. Imagine, theoretically, that this small-town police, which was supposed to send someone to stand on that roof, had to respond to a car accident two hours earlier or that two out of its nine officers got food poisoning," said Kaszeta. "Or what if the team that was supposed to work in that area was called to investigate a suspicious car?" he added.

According to AP sources, just before the attacker fired shots, the police had located him on the roof of the building. However, when the officer got on the roof, he saw the barrel of a rifle aimed at him and immediately retreated. Moments later, the 20-year-old attacker fired shots, after which he was killed by Secret Service marksmen. Kaszeta assesses that although an anti-sniper team was present in Butler, it was not their task to check the area. "By definition, they do not stand on the roofs of buildings where snipers may be present," he noted.

Despite the announced investigation into the Secret Service's mistakes, the expert doubted whether it would bring the necessary reforms. "I don't know what will happen, but surely a scapegoat will be found, even if those people could not have done anything differently," the expert said. He added that he fears if internet users publicly identify service agents, it could even lead to tragedy. "It could ruin their lives," he emphasised.