Secret Service's Failure to Use Drones at Trump Rally Raises Concerns about Security Lapses

A Republican congressman reveals that the Secret Service chose not to use drones or station law enforcement on a water tower during former President Trump's rally where he was assassinated, raising serious questions about security measures.

The Secret Service's decision not to utilize drones or post law enforcement on a strategically located water tower during former President Trump's rally in Pennsylvania has sparked outrage among lawmakers and raised concerns about security lapses. Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., disclosed that elected officials were informed during a briefing that no counter-drone measures were deployed by the Secret Service or the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) before or during the Butler, Pennsylvania, rally on July 13.

Guest emphasized the significance of the water tower, which provided an elevated vantage point approximately 100 yards from the shooter's position. He argued that if law enforcement had been stationed atop it, they could have effectively monitored the entire perimeter of the rally site.

Secret Service's Failure to Use Drones at Trump Rally Raises Concerns about Security Lapses

"Clearly, another failure was that they did not have eyes in the skies that day, either in the form of drones or someone in an elevated position to look down and cover the rally site," Guest stated.

This revelation has put Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle under intense scrutiny. Guest criticized Cheatle's excuses for not placing personnel on the roof, claiming that the slope was not overly steep and that Rep. Carlos Gimenez, who is 70 years old, had no difficulty traversing it.

Secret Service's Failure to Use Drones at Trump Rally Raises Concerns about Security Lapses

Guest attributed the security failure to poor planning, execution, and leadership within the Secret Service. He pointed out that Congress had recently increased the agency's budget to over $3 billion, anticipating the need for additional resources during the presidential election year.

"Congress increased the Secret Service's budget, knowing it was a presidential year and that they would need additional personnel and resources," Guest said. "We actually gave them more resources than they requested to ensure their preparedness for the protective details of presidential and vice presidential candidates."

Secret Service's Failure to Use Drones at Trump Rally Raises Concerns about Security Lapses

Guest expressed concern that the Secret Service may not have sufficient resources to protect U.S. leaders, urging them to inform Congress if this is the case. He emphasized that the agency's primary responsibility is to safeguard federal elected officials.

"If they don't have enough money in their budget to protect elected officials, let Congress know so we can appropriate the money they need to carry out their mission," Guest said. "They failed to do so."

Secret Service's Failure to Use Drones at Trump Rally Raises Concerns about Security Lapses

The FBI has launched an investigation into the Trump rally shooting, dedicating extensive resources to determine the shooter's motive and actions. The agency has described the incident as an assassination attempt that resulted in Trump's injury, the death of a spectator, and the injuries of several others.

The Secret Service declined to comment on the allegations.

Secret Service's Failure to Use Drones at Trump Rally Raises Concerns about Security Lapses