Former President Donald Trump is rushed off the stage by Secret Service agents after an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pa., on July 13. Several agents have been placed on administrative leave in connection with a probe of the incident, according to multiple reports on Friday. File Photo by David Maxwell/EPA-EFE
Aug. 23 (UPI) — Several Secret Service agents have been placed on administrative leave as the agency continues its investigation into last month’s failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump. multiple reports indicated Friday.
The exact number of agents placed on leave wasn’t immediately clear, but law enforcement sources cited by ABC News and CBS News said at least five of them, including the head of the agency’s Pittsburgh bureau, have been told not report to work as the investigation over the July 13 assassination attempt in Butler, Pa., continues.
The news website Real Clear Politics was the first to report the move, citing three sources in the Secret Service community who said that under the terms of the administrative leave the agents remain employed pay and benefits while the probe is ongoing.
The apparent move comes after a 20-year-old sniper shooting from the roof of a nearby building wounded Trump during an outdoor rally. The Secret Service eventually killed the sniper, identified as Thomas Crooks.
The shooting eventually led to the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, while subsequent congressional hearings and an investigation revealed security lapses during event, including law enforcement identifying Crooks as a suspicious person and sending his picture to counter-snipers nearly a half-hour before the shooting.
During a tense hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 30, Republicans Rick Scott of Florida and Josh Hawley of Missouri derided acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. and FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate for “a lack of transparency” and a failure to immediately fire those involved with security on July 13.
Rowe responded that an investigation must be completed and he will not rush to judgment before holding individuals accountable.
The Secret Service reiterated Friday is internal investigation remains ongoing.
“The U.S. Secret Service is committed to investigating the decisions and actions of personnel related to the event in Butler, Pennsylvania, and the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump,” Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement issue to media outlets.
“”The US Secret Service holds our personnel to the highest professional standards, and any identified and substantiated violations of policy will be investigated by the Office of Professional Responsibility for potential disciplinary action.
“Given this is a personnel matter, we are not in a position to comment further.”
