Former President Trump and his potential running mate JD Vance recently sat down for an interview with Fox News host Jesse Watters after the assassination attempt on Trump’s life at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. During the interview, Trump mentioned that Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle visited him following the incident and expressed concerns about the lack of rooftop security measures during the event. The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired shots at Trump from a rooftop about 130 yards away, raising questions about how he was able to gain a clear line of sight.
Eyewitnesses at the scene tried to warn law enforcement officers about the shooter before the shots were fired, but the officers were unable to see Crooks due to their proximity to the building. Trump expressed surprise at how close the shooter was able to get and questioned why Secret Service agents were not stationed on the rooftop considering it was essentially flat, contrary to Cheatle’s assertion that it had a sloped roof.
Cheatle appeared before the House Oversight Committee to address the security failures that led to the assassination attempt. She admitted that it was a significant operational failure and faced calls for her resignation from two members of the committee. Despite the security lapses, Trump commended the actions of his Secret Service agents who protected him during the incident.
The former president’s ear injury is healing, and he expressed gratitude for surviving the attempt on his life. The incident has raised concerns about the security protocols in place for presidential candidates and the need for improved measures to prevent such threats in the future. It serves as a reminder of the risks associated with public appearances by high-profile figures and the importance of ensuring their safety and security.