18.8°C Vancouver

Jul 22, 2024 6:25 PM - The Associated Press

Secret Service director says Trump assassination attempt was biggest agency 'failure' in decades

Share On
secret-service-director-says-trump-assassination-attempt-was-biggest-agency-failure-in-decades
TheSecret Servicehas acknowledged it denied some requests by Trump's campaign for increased security at his events in the years before theassassination attempt.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

The director of the Secret Service says the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump was the agency's “most significant operational failure” in decades.

Director Kimberly Cheatle told lawmakers Monday during a congressional hearing: “On July 13, we failed." Cheatle says she takes full responsibility for the agency's missteps related to the attack at Trump’s Pennsylvana rally earlier this month.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

WASHINGTON (AP) —The Secret Service directoris set to testify Monday before a congressional committee as calls mount for her to resign over security failures at a rally where a 20-year-old gunmanattempted to assassinateformer PresidentDonald Trump.

The House Oversight Committee hearing will be Kimberly Cheatle's first appearance before lawmakers since the July 13 Pennsylvania rally shooting that left one spectator dead. Trump was wounded in the ear and two other attendees were injured after Thomas Matthew Crooks climbed atop the roof of a nearby building and opened fire.

Lawmakers have been expressing anger over how thegunman could get so closeto the Republican presidential nominee when he was supposed to be carefully guarded. TheSecret Servicehas acknowledged it denied some requests by Trump's campaign for increased security at his events in the years before theassassination attempt.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has called what happened a “failure” while several lawmakers have called on Cheatle to resign or forPresident Joe Bidento fire her. The Secret Service has said Cheatle does not intend to step down. So far, she retains the support of Biden, a Democrat, and Mayorkas.

Before the shooting, local law enforcement had noticed Crooks pacing around the edges of the rally, peering into the lens of a rangefinder toward the rooftops behind the stage where the president later stood, officials have told The Associated Press. An image of Crooks was circulated by officers stationed outside the security perimeter.

Witnesses later saw him climbing up the side of a squat manufacturing building that was within 135 meters (157 yards) from the stage. He then set up his AR-style rifle and lay on the rooftop, a detonator in his pocket to set off crude explosive devices that were stashed in his car parked nearby.

The attack on Trump was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It was the latest in a series of security lapses by the agency that has drawn investigations and public scrutiny over the years.

Authorities have been hunting for clues into what motivated Crooks, but so far have not found any ideological bent that could help explain his actions. Investigators who searched his phonefound photos of Trump, Biden and other senior government officials, and also found that he had looked up the dates for the Democratic National Conventional as well as Trump’s appearances. He also searched for information about major depressive order.

Latest news

folding-licence-plates-and-stunt-riding-get-two-sport-bikes-ticketed-and-impounded
BCAug 21, 2025

Folding licence plates and stunt riding get two sport bikes ticketed and impounded

Two motorcycle riders are spending a week getting rides from friends after a day of weaving through traffic in Vancouver without displaying licence plates. On August 17, 2025, just before 3:00 p.m., on Highway #1 at the Cassiar Connector, two BMW sport motorcycles were observed riding in tandem. A BC Highway Patrol cruiser that was watching could not see any licence plates at all. Some sport motorcycles have their rear fenders removed and a licence plate on a folding mount under the rear tire, says Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. That is completely illegal. A motorcycle mus
new-housing-targets-will-bring-thousands-more-homes
BCAug 21, 2025

New housing targets will bring thousands more homes

The Province has set new housing targets for a fourth group of municipalities, bringing thousands of new homes to communities throughout B.C. Announced in May 2025, the fourth group of communities is part of the Province’s expanded housing-targets program to address high demand in growing communities and to continue to deliver the homes people need throughout the province. Effective Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, the following are the five-year targets for each municipality, which are set following consultation and reflect 75% of their estimated housing need: Burnaby - 10,240Coquitlam - 6,481Courten
pm-carney-and-trump-discuss-trade-and-new-economic-security-relationship
CanadaAug 21, 2025

PM Carney and Trump discuss trade and new economic security relationship

Prime Minister Mark Carney and US President Donald Trump discussed trade and new economic security relationship on Thursday. The talks between the two leaders have been described as positive and leading to further results. Carney and Trump also discussed the issue of Ukraine during this time, and the two leaders have also agreed to meet again soon. The phone conversation between the Prime Minister and Trump took place a few hours after External Affairs Minister Anita Anand met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Anand was in Washington today. It is worth noting that this is Carney's la
BCAug 21, 2025

Multiple search warrants executed on Salt Spring Island as part of ongoing drug investigation

Community issues addressed after multiple search warrants executed on Salt Spring Island. On August 14, 2025, Salt Spring Island RCMP, assisted by officers with the Island District RCMP General Investigation Section executed multiple search warrants in an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. As a result, a significant amount of illicit drugs, including suspected cocaine and evidence consistent with drug trafficking were seized. The investigation remains ongoing, and a detailed report to Crown Counsel for consideration of criminal charges. We want to ensure the community is aware of our proa
six-charges-approved-following-cfseu-bc-uget-investigation
CanadaAug 21, 2025

Six charges approved following CFSEU-BC UGET investigation

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia’s (CFSEU-BC) Uniform Gang Enforcement Team (UGET) has secured six charges against a Surrey man following an investigation that led to the seizure of significant quantities of drugs and cash. On August 24, 2024, UGET officers attempted a traffic stop in Maple Ridge involving a vehicle known to have previously evaded police. The driver fled on foot but was quickly arrested. A search of the suspect and vehicle led to the seizure of: • 1.157 kilograms of fentanyl • 790 grams of cocaine • 337 grams of methamphetamine • 1

Related News