The Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump has released its final report, detailing serious shortcomings in the planning, execution, and leadership of the United States Secret Service during two assassination attempts.
Approved on December 5, the report outlines the failures that occurred during the July 13, 2024, rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the former president was shot. It also discusses security lapses related to a September attempt at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach. The report includes 37 recommendations aimed at improving security measures and preventing future incidents.
In its five-month investigation, the Task Force conducted interviews, reviewed evidence, and held hearings. They found that the Secret Service’s failures were most evident in the lead-up to the Butler rally, where insufficient planning and poor execution exposed the former president and attendees to grave danger.
Although there was no single decision that directly led to the shooting, the combined failures of the Secret Service on that day were identified as a critical factor in the attempt on Trump’s life.
The investigation highlighted multiple points of failure, especially concerning the failure to secure a high-risk area adjacent to the rally site. The Task Force noted that these lapses could have been avoided if better decisions had been made in advance.
Task Force Criticizes Secret Service for Failures in Trump Assassination Attempts, Issues 37 Recommendations
Furthermore, the event’s nature—held at an outdoor venue with limited sightlines—demanded more thorough preparation. The Task Force found that personnel who were inexperienced and ill-equipped for such a high-risk event were given significant responsibilities, which contributed to the lack of adequate security.
Beyond the specific failures at the Butler rally, the report pointed to systemic issues within the Secret Service. Preexisting leadership and training problems were found to have created an environment in which these security failures could occur.
For example, Secret Service personnel assigned to the Butler rally had undergone only brief, online training and lacked the experience necessary for such a critical assignment. These structural weaknesses made it difficult for the agency to respond effectively to the threats posed during both the July and September incidents.
The Task Force’s report serves as a damning assessment of the Secret Service’s performance during these assassination attempts. It calls for sweeping reforms, including improved training, leadership, and operational planning, to ensure that future security breaches are prevented.
The report’s 37 recommendations aim to address both the immediate failures in these incidents and the broader issues within the agency, urging Congress and the Secret Service to act swiftly in implementing changes to safeguard the president and other high-profile figures.
