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Local Police Releases Body Cam Footage Of Trump Rally
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Local Police Releases Body Cam Footage Of Trump Rally

Ladies and gentlemen, what we’re about to dive into is a story that’s as alarming as it is shocking—a look into the chaotic aftermath of an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania. New details are emerging that paint a disturbing picture of miscommunication, missed warnings, and a botched security operation that nearly ended in tragedy.

Here’s what happened: During a rally, shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks managed to position himself on the rooftop of the American Glass Research building, a mere 200 yards from the stage where Trump was speaking. Armed with an AR-style rifle, Crooks fired eight shots, nearly delivering a fatal headshot to Trump. While the former president survived with a bullet wound to the ear, a spectator lost their life, and two others were injured.

So how did this happen? Why wasn’t the rooftop secured? According to new bodycam footage obtained by The Wall Street Journal, the local police are placing the blame squarely on the U.S. Secret Service. Days before the rally, Butler Township officers had flagged the warehouse rooftop as a potential security risk. They communicated this concern directly to the Secret Service, who reportedly assured them that agents would be posted on the roof to secure the area. But as we now know, that never happened.

The frustration and anger from local officers are palpable in the footage. One officer is heard saying, “I f—ing told them that they needed to post guys f—ing over here… I talked to the Secret Service guys. They’re like, ‘Yeah, no problem. We’re going to post guys over here.’” This exchange underscores the critical breakdown in communication and execution that left the rally vulnerable.

In the chaotic moments following the shooting, it became clear that the building had been left unprotected. Officers arriving at the scene expressed shock, thinking their colleagues were stationed on the roof, only to find it completely unmanned. “Why were we not on the roof? Why weren’t we?” one officer asked in frustration.

The blame game between local law enforcement and the Secret Service has only intensified since the incident. Federal officials have claimed they believed local SWAT teams were responsible for securing the building, while local teams assert they had no contact with the Secret Service until after the shots were fired. It’s a damning revelation that raises serious questions about the coordination—or lack thereof—between these two agencies.

Adding to the controversy is the fact that law enforcement had prior knowledge of Crooks. They had pictures and descriptions of him, which were shared on their radio system. However, the Secret Service was unable to access this information, leaving them in the dark about the imminent threat. In a jaw-dropping detail, it’s now reported that Secret Service snipers had their sights trained on Crooks for nearly two minutes before he opened fire but didn’t realize he was armed.

The fallout from this security failure has been swift and severe. Kimberly Cheatle, the now-former Secret Service Director, resigned after her disastrous testimony on July 22, where she suggested that the sloped roof made it unsafe for agents to secure the area. This excuse was quickly torn apart by media and experts, leading to her resignation the following day.

Despite the gravity of this situation, no one has been disciplined for the failures that led to this near-catastrophe. Whistleblowers within the Secret Service are now coming forward, shedding light on the inexperience and unqualified agents who were tasked with ensuring the rally’s security.

Written by Arthur Higgens - August 11, 2024