13 July Assassination attempt on Donald Trump has put Secret Service under fire
The U.S. Secret Service’s handling of security at a rally featuring former President Trump on July 13 has come under fire, following revelations from public records, testimony, and a Senate investigation.
Documents obtained by Fox News Digital reveal that the Secret Service was aware Trump would be onstage at an open-air Pennsylvania rally after the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) temporary flight restriction (TFR) had expired.
Despite this, the agency did not extend the TFR, which is designed to prevent unauthorized aircraft, including drones, from entering protected airspace.
A Secret Service agent assigned to counter-drone operations testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, stating they had warned a superior about the need for a security extension.
Previous instances where Trump stayed at rallies beyond the TFR window were cited, but the agent’s request was reportedly denied without explanation.
The FAA typically issues TFRs for events such as natural disasters, sporting events, and presidential appearances. These restrictions prevent all aircraft, including drones, from flying in designated areas.
At the July 13 rally, the lack of airspace control raised concerns about the potential for unauthorized drones, as mainstream consumer drones are often equipped with GPS technology that prevents them from flying into restricted airspace.
“Depending on the kind of drone, [some] are connected to that airspace database and may even prevent individuals from taking off,” said James McDanolds, program chair for the School of Unmanned Technology at Sonoran Desert Institute.
The Senate committee’s interim report noted that a TFR was issued from 4:20 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. on the day of the rally, with Trump scheduled to speak at 5 p.m.
However, the rally started later than expected, and Trump did not take the stage until approximately 6 p.m. The shooting occurred just five minutes before the TFR expired.
While Trump was speaking, Thomas Crooks fired several rushed shots at the former president, five minutes before the TFR was set to end.
A Secret Service counter-sniper took down Crooks moments later.
One of Crooks’ bullets grazed Trump’s ear, while another struck a rally attendee, killing them. Two others were injured.
“The U.S. Secret Service deploys a variety of seen and unseen measures at our protected sites,” the agency said in a statement.
However, the counter-drone equipment meant to protect the rally had experienced technical issues earlier in the day and was not operational until 4:33 p.m., which allowed Crooks’ drone to fly undetected over the site for 11 minutes before the TFR began.
The Senate report revealed that had the drone detection system been working earlier, Crooks’ drone would have been flagged, and authorities might have intervened.
The drone agent told senators they would have likely conducted a “consensual interview” with Crooks had they known about his pre-rally surveillance.
Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe testified that the agency’s inability to detect the drone had caused him “a lot of sleep” due to the resulting assassination attempt.
FBI Director Christopher Wray also testified that Crooks had been present at the rally site for 70 minutes earlier in the day, indicating potential foreknowledge of security vulnerabilities.
Following the incident, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned, and several agents were placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.
In a separate revelation, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., penned a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, revealing that the Secret Service had repeatedly rejected local law enforcement’s offers to provide drone technology for rally security.
“It is hard to understand why USSS would decline to use drones… particularly given that USSS permitted the shooter to overfly the rally area with his own drone mere hours before the event,” Hawley wrote.
In light of the July 13 attack, the Secret Service is collaborating with the FAA to enhance airspace protections for presidential candidates.
The agency also announced the formation of a research and development office to explore emerging technologies, including unmanned aerial systems and countermeasures, to ensure protectees’ safety.
“Following the events of July 13, the U.S. Secret Service worked with our partners at the FAA to expand the standard TFR protections for presidential candidates,” the agency said in a statement.
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