Why is the US Secret Service under fire over Trump assassination attempt?
Al Jazeera
The elite government protection service largely in charge of guarding current and former presidents now faces scrutiny and investigations.
Questions are mounting about the role of the United States Secret Service in a “massive security breach” at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, during which a shooter tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump.
Trump, who was confirmed as the Republican Party’s presidential candidate at the Republican National Convention (RNC) on Monday, was grazed in the ear when a 20-year-old suspect identified as Thomas Mathew Crooks allegedly shot at him from the rooftop of a nearby building. Crooks was shot dead by the Secret Service shortly afterwards.
Trump was declared “fine” by his campaign moments later, but one male attendee was killed, and two other rally-goers were wounded in the attack.
Here is what we know so far about the role of the Secret Service, which has responsibility for the safety of presidents, former presidents and presidential candidates:
Yes. President Joe Biden has ordered an independent review of the security plan at the rally, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, confirmed on Monday.
