Former Secret Service Agent SOUNDS Alarm After Trump Attack

Former Secret Service Agent SOUNDS Alarm After Trump Attack

Former Secret Service agent, now a conservative radio host and author, Dan Bongino shared some noteworthy observations after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on Saturday at a rally in Butler, Pa.

Bongino condemned the Secret Service for what he termed an “absolutely catastrophic” lapse during Trump’s rally, implying that the former president’s quick reflex to duck was crucial for his survival.

“The bunting around the front of the stage is probably armor. Donald Trump knew to duck. I mean, most people would. He saved his own life,” Bongino mentioned on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends Sunday.”

Authorities have identified the shooter as a 20-year-old man, who was shot dead by a Secret Service counter-sniper team shortly after he aimed at Trump. The bullet grazed the former president’s right ear, killed a rally attendee, and wounded two others.

Bongino, who served in the Secret Service from 1999 to 2011, criticized the agency for its security shortcomings.

“If that’s the best technology we have, and we had a CS [Counter Sniper] team up there — we’re trained out to 1,000 yards in the Secret Service with the counter sniper team — how did they miss someone, at most 1/5 of the way there? It doesn’t make any sense,” he questioned. “Even worse, it’s broad daylight on a white roof.”

He also commented on Trump’s evacuation process. “The evacuation did not go right,” he said. “The rule with the Secret Service is cover the protectee and evacuate.” Despite this, he praised the agents who were with Trump.

Bongino challenged the Secret Service’s claim that Trump’s team did not request additional security and resources, asserting that such requests had indeed been made.

“I can tell you, and absolutely confirm from the horse’s mouth, from multiple people, not just one…there have been repeated requests [to] increase the security footprint,” Bongino stated.

He echoed conservative criticisms about the Secret Service’s focus, suggesting the agency had been sidetracked by less critical issues.

“They were more concerned about the color of the Secret Service agents ties around Donald Trump, given the perception,” he said, alluding to concerns that a red tie might imply MAGA and Trump sympathies.

He also voiced conservative concerns over the agency’s diversity, equity, and inclusion program, which has drawn attention from congressional Republicans, according to the New York Post.

“You have one job, and only one job. Your job is [to] keep the body alive. No matter what,” he emphasized. “And the fact that Donald Trump didn’t die yesterday is no reason for anybody to take some kind of victory lap.”

One rally attendee, Greg Smith, told the BBC soon after the shooting that he saw a man with a rifle crawling on a rooftop near the rally venue just minutes before shots were fired.

“We noticed the guy bear-crawling up the roof of the building beside us, 50ft away from us,” Smith recounted, according to Newsweek. “He had a rifle; we could clearly see a rifle.” Smith described a chaotic scene with poor coordination among security staff and police as he attempted to alert them to the looming threat. Videos circulating on social media show the alleged sniper on the rooftop, with rally attendees audibly trying to get police attention.

WATCH:

Subscribe to Lib Fails

Don’t miss out on the latest issues. Sign up now to get access to the library of members-only issues.
jamie@example.com
Subscribe