AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
Thank God former President Donald Trump survived the assassination last Saturday during his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Unquestionably the guiding hand of Providence protected him on that fateful day. A mere turn of the head was the difference between life and death, and possibly civil unrest on a scale not seen since the Civil War. America has been the beneficiary of providential acts since its inception.
Even a cursory overview of American history displays the hand of God in our national affairs. In a letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Savannah Georgia, dated 14 June 1790, George Washington said, “May the same wonder-working Deity, who long since delivering the Hebrews from their Egyptian Oppressors planted them in the promised land — whose providential agency has lately been conspicuous in establishing these United States as an independent nation — still continue to water them with the dews of Heaven and to make the inhabitants of every denomination participate in the temporal and spiritual blessing of that people whose God is Jehovah.”
Beyond Divine intervention, questions about the events of Saturday become gravely concerning. The actions, or inactions, of the Secret Service (SS) personnel assigned to Trump’s security detail are under incredible scrutiny, and have been subjected to some of the most unhinged conspiracy theorizing — mostly from individuals who have no background in law enforcement or dignitary protection. Even for some with credibility on this subject matter, the lure of “likes” and “reposts” seems just too seductive to ignore.
Despite some of the irrational and uninformed guess work, there are a multitude of incredibly troubling questions that need to be answered. Having served for three and a half years on the FBI’s Attorney General’s Protection Detail (AGPD), I can provide some insight on the facts as they are known.
Perhaps, the most significant question is how did someone gain access to an elevated position 130 yards from Trump’s podium, with an unobstructed view of the intended target? Many sources have reported the Trump detail was short on resources, and the SS Agent In Charge (AIC) requested additional support. Setting the question of additional support aside, the building where Thomas Matthew Crooks established his shooting position, given the lack of SS resources, could have been secured by one or more local law enforcement officers. This practice is fairly routine throughout the dignitary protection field.
During several interviews with Fox News over the weekend, retired SS agent and former head of the Presidential Protection Detail, Frank Loveridge, said that “there’s a paper trail.” He went on to clarify that Trump’s detail would have produced an intricately detailed operations plan for the event, specifying who was responsible for securing the nearby building. Subsequent reporting from Fox News indicates that local law enforcement authorities were responsible for securing the building. And, reports state that at least one local police officer was involved in climbing to the roof, confronting Crooks, and retreating as Crooks turned to fire on him. Shortly thereafter, Crooks began firing on Trump’s position.
Despite the strong likelihood that the responsibility was delegated to local law enforcement, it’s still the SS’s responsibility to ensure that all ancillary components are properly briefed as to their assigned tasks. This was a routine matter when I was assigned to the AGPD, a “no fail” environment where ultimate responsibility for operational elements under a detailee’s purview are his alone. There can be no excusing the SS for failing to properly plan for and ensuring the proper deployment of local law enforcement personnel. To be sure, any failures on the part of local law enforcement should be dealt with at the level of their chief executive.
On a positive note, during a press conference held Sunday, FBI Special Agent In Charge (SAC), Kevin Rojeck stated unequivocally, “this evening we had what we are calling an attempted assassination against former President Donald, J. Trump.” It was encouraging to hear SAC Rojeck properly classify the incident as an “attempted assassination,” in light of the FBI’s equivocation with regards to the Congressional baseball shooting which occurred on June 14, 2017. FBI officials were quoted as characterizing the domestic terrorism event as “suicide by cop.” There are still many good men and women who continue to work selflessly in pursuit of the criminal elements that threaten civil liberties and the safety of the American people. At this point, it can only be said that SAC’s Rojeck’s comments were forthright, and set the tone of the investigation going forward.
Controversy boils around the question of whether the SS counter sniper team was required to seek approval from SS headquarters before using deadly force to neutralize the threat posed by Crooks. This notion is counter to every practice I’ve ever encountered over the course of a twenty-six year career in law enforcement. The decision to utilize deadly force belongs to the law enforcement officer as presented in the moment. It cannot be outsourced. I cannot imagine any law enforcement officer seeking permission to fire his weapon from someone removed from the elements of ability, opportunity, and jeopardy — which must be present when the decision to engage arises.
We are incredibly fortunate as a nation to still have Donald Trump with us. Moreover, Trump has named J.D. Vance as his Vice Presidential candidate — a man most worthy of the honor. The Democrat candidates wither in the shadows of the Republican’s two robust and intellectually nimble candidates.
Whatever the FBI and SS investigations reveal, the moment that will echo forever through the hallowed halls of history will be a triumphant Trump, rising from his knees — bloodied — to shake an indomitable fist in the face of everything tyrannical. To a roaring crowd he shouted “fight!” We must all join him in the political fight at the ballot box, and install him as our next President. Undeterred by the loathsome assassins bullet, rally behind Trump and make America great again.
