Quick Hit:

A preliminary report from the Congressional Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump, released Monday, reveals that “the shocking events of July 13 were preventable.” The report highlights major security failures at the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire, killing one and injuring several, including Trump.

Key Details:

• The report emphasizes the lack of coordination between federal and local law enforcement. Patrolman Drew Blasko testified that he had raised concerns about securing the American Glass Research (AGR) complex, but was assured by the Secret Service that "they would take care of it." No action was taken.

• Despite multiple law enforcement officers observing Crooks and reporting his suspicious behavior, communication failures allowed him to remain at large. The Task Force noted that critical information about Crooks “moved slowly” due to fragmented lines of communication.

• Crooks was able to fire eight shots from the AGR roof before being neutralized by a Secret Service counter-sniper. The Task Force concluded, “these failures contributed directly to the tragic outcome.”

Diving Deeper:

The Congressional Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump released its preliminary findings on Monday, revealing significant security lapses during the July 13th, 2024, rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The report highlights how a series of communication breakdowns and inadequate security measures allowed shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks to carry out the attack that resulted in the death of a rally attendee and injuries to several others, including Trump.

“The shocking events of July 13 were preventable,” the report states, underscoring the failure of the Secret Service to secure the nearby American Glass Research (AGR) complex. Despite its proximity to the rally and clear sightlines to the stage, the complex was not included within the secure perimeter. According to Butler Township Patrolman Drew Blasko, who raised concerns during a walkthrough two days prior to the event, the Secret Service assured him that “they would take care of it,” but no security personnel were assigned to the site.

Throughout the day of the rally, local law enforcement officers observed Crooks acting suspiciously near the AGR complex. Despite multiple sightings, including reports that Crooks was using a rangefinder aimed at the stage, communication delays and confusion about responsibilities allowed him to evade capture. "Critical pieces of information about Crooks and the escalating threat situation moved slowly due to fragmented lines of communication," the report notes.

Crooks eventually climbed onto the roof of the AGR complex and fired eight shots toward the stage and crowd, killing one person and injuring three others. He was neutralized by a Secret Service counter-sniper, but the Task Force emphasized that these “tragic events” could have been avoided with better coordination and communication between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The full report, expected in December, will include more detailed findings and recommendations for preventing similar incidents in the future.