A new federal report has uncovered serious security failures connected to the Trump rally shooting that happened in July 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) published the findings on Saturday. The report exposes critical errors made by the U.S. Secret Service in the days leading up to the attack on former President Donald Trump.
Security Agencies Ignored Early Warnings
According to the GAO, classified intelligence warned of a potential threat to Trump’s safety nearly ten days before the rally. However, that information was not shared with local police or event organizers.
The warning stayed within top-level officials. The protective team assigned to Trump was never informed. Local law enforcement also confirmed they had requested additional support but received no follow-up.
Poor Planning and Communication to Blame
The report outlines multiple issues within the agency. These include:
- Poor communication between federal and local agencies
- Lack of proper security training
- Inexperienced personnel managing event security
- Misuse of available security resources
These failures made it easier for the attacker to breach the perimeter and open fire.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who requested the report, called the situation a “cascade of bad decisions.” He also criticized the Biden administration for ignoring multiple requests to increase Trump’s security in the weeks before the rally.
While Trump’s team pushed for more protection, key resources were instead redirected to cover Jill Biden and Kamala Harris, according to the report.
Missed Opportunities and Costly Decisions
One of the most damaging mistakes involved the placement of farm equipment near the stage. A Trump staffer asked that it be moved to allow for clearer photos. Since the team was unaware of any threat, they agreed.
That decision gave the shooter a clear line of sight. If the equipment had stayed in place, it might have blocked the shot.
The GAO also revealed that the lead Secret Service agent on site lacked experience in handling large outdoor events. It was her first assignment of this scale, and key safety measures were never implemented.
Denied Security Tools and Last-Minute Actions
Additional protection, such as anti-drone systems, was requested but denied. Those tools were reportedly reserved for future political events. However, counter-sniper teams were approved shortly before the rally.
Those snipers were the ones who stopped the shooter, Thomas Crooks, during the attempted assassination.
Final Report: The Attack Was Preventable
In its conclusion, the GAO declared the Trump rally shooting was “preventable.” The agency cited the lack of coordination, poor decision-making, and ignored intelligence as the primary causes of the security breach.
The report closely aligns with earlier investigations by both the House and Senate, which also found widespread mismanagement within the Secret Service.
NEW GAO REPORT IM RELEASING says Secret Service knew of a threat 2Pres Trump's life 10 DAYS b4 Butler but didnt share info w staff on the ground so they were unprepared Rpt identifies Sct Service problems+ recommends fixes This info NVR wld hv been made public w/o CONG OVERSIGHT pic.twitter.com/hf9t87453a
— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) July 12, 2025
About The Author
