Six Secret Service agents have been suspended without pay for their roles in the security lapses that led to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year.
The suspensions range from 10 to 42 days, according to Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn, who spoke to CBS News on Wednesday. Although the agents will not be terminated, they will return to work with reduced operational responsibilities.
“We aren’t going to fire our way out of this,” Quinn said. “We’re going to focus on the root cause and fix the deficiencies that put us in that situation.”
The attempted assassination took place on July 13, 2024, when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from an unguarded rooftop during a Trump campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds. One bullet grazed Trump’s ear, leaving him bloodied. Tragically, firefighter Corey Comperatore was killed while protecting his family, and two others were seriously injured. Crooks was ultimately shot and killed by a Secret Service sniper.
A Senate report released in September sharply criticized the Secret Service’s handling of the event, citing “multiple foreseeable and preventable planning and operational failures” that allowed the attack to occur. The report highlighted a range of issues, including unclear responsibilities, poor coordination with local authorities, faulty communications systems, and nonfunctional counter-drone technology.
A second attempt on Trump’s life occurred just two months later at his Palm Beach, Florida, golf course, further intensifying scrutiny of the agency’s protocols.
Quinn acknowledged the agency’s responsibility for the Butler incident. “Butler was an operational failure and we are focused today on ensuring that it never happens again,” he said, noting that the Secret Service has since deployed new drones and mobile command posts to improve communication with local law enforcement.
The Secret Service has not issued an official comment in response to the suspensions.
