At least five U.S. Secret Service officials involved in the planning of Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, where a gunman attempted to kill the former president, have been placed on administrative leave, according to two sources familiar with the situation.
The officials are still working but not allowed to be involved in anything operational including the security planning, the sources told ABC News.
The Secret Service’s Office of Professional Responsibility investigation has been intensifying, and while the investigation has focused on the failures, miscues and planning up to Butler, the probe is now focusing on a number of issues, including the number of classified threats against former President Trump by Iran and what the agency did in response security wise to the new intelligence.
An official tells ABC News this means even more senior officials might be caught up in the review.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign rally, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa.
Evan Vucci/AP, FILE
“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,” the agency said. “The U.S. Secret Service’s mission assurance review is progressing, and we are examining the processes, procedures and factors that led to this operational failure.”
The agency said it holds its personnel to the “highest professional standards” and would not comment further.
Trump was struck in his ear by a bullet during the assassination attempt at his campaign rally on July 13, which also killed one spectator and injured two others, according to officials. The gunman, identified by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by Secret Service agents.
The U.S. Secret Service recently made arrangements for Trump to resume outdoor campaign rallies by surrounding his podium with bulletproof glass, multiple sources told ABC News.
Five Secret Service officials have been placed on administrative leave for their involvement in planning a rally for former President Donald Trump’s butler. The officials were reportedly involved in organizing the event, which took place at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private club in Florida.
The rally, which was attended by a small group of supporters, was meant to show support for Trump’s butler, who had recently been fired from his position at the club. However, the event quickly drew criticism for its potential violation of the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activities while on duty.
The Secret Service officials involved in planning the rally have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into their actions. The agency has stated that it takes allegations of misconduct seriously and will take appropriate action if any wrongdoing is found.
This incident highlights the challenges that federal agencies face in maintaining impartiality and avoiding conflicts of interest. The Secret Service is tasked with protecting the President and other high-ranking officials, and any involvement in political activities can undermine the public’s trust in the agency’s ability to perform its duties effectively.
It is important for federal employees to adhere to the rules and regulations that govern their conduct, especially when it comes to political activities. The Hatch Act exists to ensure that government employees remain neutral and unbiased in their work, and violations of the act can result in disciplinary action.
As the investigation into the Secret Service officials’ involvement in planning the rally continues, it serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards and maintaining the integrity of government agencies. The public expects federal employees to act with professionalism and impartiality, and any breach of these expectations can have serious consequences.
