US Department of Homeland Security Launches Investigation
SS's Response Plan at Trump Rally Under Review
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has reportedly launched an investigation into the Secret Service (SS), which is responsible for protecting current and former presidents. The SS has faced criticism for failing to prevent an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate.
According to major foreign media on the 16th (local time), Joseph Cuffari, the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security, is investigating the SS's response plan regarding the Pennsylvania campaign site where former President Trump was shot.
Inspector General Cuffari stated on the website, "We will evaluate the procedures of the U.S. Secret Service for securing former President Trump's campaign event on July 1, 2024." The notice is classified under "Terrorism and Homeland Threats" on the Inspector General's "Ongoing Projects" page.
On the 13th, two days before the Republican National Convention, former President Trump was shot in the ear by 20-year-old white male Thomas Matthew Kroeker at a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania. Thanks to the response fire from snipers deployed at the scene and the actions of security personnel, Trump survived, but there were casualties, including the death of 50-year-old former firefighter Cory Comperatore.
Particularly, local media such as CNN revealed that police officers had confronted the shooter before the shooting occurred, fueling criticism of the security failure. According to local sheriffs, when police responding to the report attempted to climb onto the roof where the shooting took place, the suspect changed direction and aimed his gun. While the officer took cover, shots were fired toward former President Trump.
In response to criticism that no sniper was stationed on the roof where the shooter was located, security authorities explained that the decision was made considering the sniper's safety. Kimberly Cheatle, SS Director, explained in an interview with ABC News that the roof was sloped, making it difficult to position a sniper there.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that former President Trump's team and the SS had raised security levels in recent weeks after receiving intelligence about an assassination plot from Iran prior to the shooting at the campaign site. However, a spokesperson for the National Security Council (NSC) dismissed any connection, stating, "No links have been found between the shooter and any domestic or foreign accomplices or conspirators." The United Nations (UN) Iranian delegation immediately rejected the claims, calling the assassination plot "baseless and malicious allegations."
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