Whistleblower Claims Majority of Trump's Butler, Pennsylvania Rally Security Detail Were Not Secret Service Agents

Republican Senator Josh Hawley raises concerns over the security arrangements for former President Donald Trump's Pennsylvania rally, with whistleblowers alleging that most of the security personnel were not Secret Service agents but rather Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officials.

Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) has sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas outlining security lapses at former President Donald Trump's Butler, Pennsylvania rally on July 13th. The letter alleges that the majority of security personnel were not Secret Service agents but rather Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officials, raising concerns about their familiarity with standard Secret Service protocols.

Hawley's letter cites whistleblower claims that the Butler rally was designated as a "loose" security event, a departure from typical protocol. Detection canines were reportedly not used to monitor entry and detect threats, individuals without proper credentials were granted access to backstage areas, and the security perimeter and buffer zone around the podium were inadequately enforced.

Whistleblower Claims Majority of Trump's Butler, Pennsylvania Rally Security Detail Were Not Secret Service Agents

The whistleblowers also alleged that the majority of personnel protecting Trump were not U.S. Secret Service (USSS) agents but instead drawn from HSI, a component of the Department of Homeland Security. HSI agents are primarily responsible for investigating criminal activity within the United States, not for providing security for high-profile events like presidential rallies.

Hawley expressed concern that the use of HSI agents, who are unfamiliar with standard Secret Service protocols, could have compromised Trump's safety. He cited previous Secret Service briefings given to senators on Wednesday, where officials admitted to mistakes and gaffes but provided scant information about the recent assassination attempt against Trump.

Whistleblower Claims Majority of Trump's Butler, Pennsylvania Rally Security Detail Were Not Secret Service Agents

The Missouri senator demanded answers from the DHS on a series of questions related to the whistleblowers' allegations, including the ratio of USSS to HSI agents at the rally and the nature of pre-rally security investigations. He accused the DHS of failing to provide timely information to Congress and abruptly ending a call with USSS before senators could ask questions.

Hawley's letter has raised questions about the adequacy of security arrangements for former presidents and the potential for security gaps in the future. It remains to be seen whether the DHS will provide satisfactory answers to Hawley's questions and take steps to address the security lapses identified by whistleblowers.

Whistleblower Claims Majority of Trump's Butler, Pennsylvania Rally Security Detail Were Not Secret Service Agents