Bowling Green Today

On July 30, 2024, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, addressed significant security lapses that led to an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a joint oversight hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee. The incident occurred at a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13th, resulting in the death of Corey Comperatore and injuries to other attendees.

The hearing, titled “Examination of the Security Failures Leading to the Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump,” featured testimonies from officials of the U.S. Secret Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation who are investigating the attack.

Senator Paul raised concerns with Ronald L. Rowe Jr., Acting Director of U.S. Secret Service, about why former President Trump was allowed to take the stage despite law enforcement's awareness of a suspicious individual in attendance. According to Senator Paul, "Several minutes before the start of former President Trump’s address, the Secret Service’s counter-sniper team received a photograph and detailed description of the suspicious individual."

In his opening remarks, Senator Paul stated: "Eighteen days ago, a would-be assassin managed to climb onto a roof 400 feet from the stage where former President and leading presidential candidate Donald Trump was speaking. The assassin’s bullet struck President Trump, narrowly missing a fatal blow thanks to a last-second head turn."

Senator Paul emphasized that there was "no question that this was a monumental failure by the Secret Service." He called for accountability and clarity on who specifically failed and what measures must be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.

Senator Paul's investigative team visited Pennsylvania to meet with local law enforcement and document the scene. They found that no one from the Secret Service had communicated with local officers since the shooting. Local law enforcement flagged vulnerabilities about the AGR building, which were not addressed by Secret Service.

"Why was President Trump allowed to take the stage," questioned Senator Paul, "and why was he not removed when a suspicious individual was taking increasingly suspicious actions?"

He noted that over 20 minutes before Trump's address began, Secret Service command had been informed about an individual with a rangefinder.

The committee has requested interviews with responsible agents but has not yet been granted access. Senator Paul expects Director Rowe to provide information on when these interviews will occur.

Senator Paul concluded by acknowledging mistakes made on July 13 but also commended federal, state, and local law enforcement officers for their bravery and professionalism.