In a shocking revelation on ABC News, Kimberly Cheatle, the besieged Secret Service Director, admitted to an oversight in security arrangements during President Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. An incident occurred where a gunman almost took the life of President Trump. The director accepts responsibility but also points out the failure of local law enforcement in securing the premises.
Details of the Incident
During her interview with ABC News, Cheatle explained that she didn’t deploy an agent on or near the rooftop adjacent to the rally because it had a sloped incline. She stated that there was concern for safety if someone were placed on such a surface. As a result, they secured the building from inside instead.
The Shooter and his Actions
The shooter was identified as Crooks – a 20-year-old man who managed to take eight shots at President Trump using an AR-15 rifle before he was neutralized by a Secret Service sniper. This was possible due to his advantageous position on the roof and because he had been previously flagged as a “potential person of suspicion.” Despite being identified, he was not immediately apprehended due to rapid developments at that time.
Responsibility of Local Law Enforcement
Reports indicate that rally attendees alerted local law enforcement about Cheatle’s position on the roof 86 seconds before firing began. However, Cheatle seemed to suggest it was their duty to address this threat. She mentioned how one officer ascended towards the roof but descended after Crooks pointed his rifle at them.
President Trump’s Reaction
President Trump, in an interview on Monday, expressed his awe at the swift actions of his agents who shielded him from the line of fire. He commended their efforts and promised his supporters that he would continue to “fight.” The former President later recounted this harrowing experience to the New York Post, stating, “I’m not supposed to be here. I’m supposed to be dead.
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