From NBC News: Multiple Secret Service officials have been put on leave for their actions leading up to and responding to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at his July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a source familiar with the decisions told NBC News.
Those put on leave include the Secret Service’s special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh field office, Kevin Rojek, whose office was responsible for coordinating the security plan with local law enforcement leading up to the rally.
The source familiar with the decisions did not confirm the exact number of officials on leave and said the number may continue to grow as an internal investigation into the assassination attempt continues.
Fox News confirmed that at least five members of the Secret Service have been placed on leave.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement, “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. We are examining the processes, procedures and factors that led to this operational failure. … 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.”
Miraculously, Trump was only shot in the ear during the July 13 attempt on his life, as he happened to turn his head just at the right moment while he was speaking, when the shooter fired on him.
Three other rally attendees in the stands behind Trump were shot. Firefighter Corey Comperatore killed instantly, while James Copenhaver and David Dutch were both wounded and are now recovering.
Real Clear Politics first reported on the news of the Secret Service agents being placed on leave.
Secret Service Agents Placed on Leave After Trump Assassination Attempt https://t.co/G5D3r0WsoT #Politics
— RealClearPolitics (@RCPolitics) August 23, 2024
Multiple Secret Service officials have been put on leave for actions prior to and in response to the assassination attempt on ex-President Trump at his July rally in Butler, Pa. Those on leave include the head of the Pittsburgh field office, Kevin Rojek. https://t.co/lgsww4L1WI
— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 23, 2024
Another incident occurred in Arizona on Thursday, as a manhunt was launched for a man who had threatened to kill Trump while he was in the state. The man was found and apprehended later Thursday afternoon.
UPDATE: Manhunt over for man who threatened to kill Trump in Arizona
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