Secret Service missed 102 radio calls warning of Trump's Butler shooter, watchdog finds

The U.S. Secret Service failed to intercept 102 critical radio transmissions from local law enforcement that warned of the potential threat posed by Thomas M. Crooks, the man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump during a July 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, according to a Department of Homeland Security inspector general report. The report, released publicly on Thursday, detailed how the Secret Service’s communication systems were unable to receive these warnings due to the absence of a dedicated joint communications room designed to monitor such traffic. This oversight left Trump’s protection detail unaware of the growing concern surrounding Crooks, who ultimately opened fire on the crowd, injuring multiple individuals and narrowly missing Trump.

The report outlines a timeline of escalating alerts from local officers, starting approximately 5:42 p.m., when a call described a young man loitering near the American Glass Research International (AGRI) complex with a rangefinder. Over the next hour, additional transmissions indicated that the suspect had climbed onto the rooftop of the building and was armed. Despite these increasing reports, the Secret Service’s communications supervisor and counter-drone operator did not actively seek clarification regarding the location of the building. Instead, they relied on outdated methods, including an online search, to determine its position, which proved ineffective. By the time the location was confirmed, Crooks had already begun firing, resulting in a gunshot wound to Trump’s ear, the death of attendee Corey Comperatore, and injuries to others.

Crooks’ attack occurred just 155 yards away from the presidential podium, according to the *New York Post*, which analyzed the report. His initial volley of gunfire came at 6:11 p.m., marking the moment the security breach became fatal. The report further highlights that the Secret Service’s counter-drone system was non-functional during the incident, as the sole technician operating it was deemed under-trained and had not tested the equipment prior to the event. This failure allowed Crooks to conduct a nearly nine-minute drone flight over the rally site, providing him with crucial visual reconnaissance of the stage and the rooftop where he would later take cover.

Beyond the communication and drone failures, the report criticized the Secret Service for several other lapses. It noted that the agency did not share intelligence about a long-range threat with its Pittsburgh field office, neglected to secure an area flagged as unsecured by Pennsylvania State Police, and failed to utilize available equipment to obstruct sightlines to the stage once the AGRI complex was identified as a potential risk. One proposed solution—positioning trucks to block the view—was dismissed by Trump campaign representatives due to concerns over interfering with media coverage. No alternative measures were verified as having been executed.

In response to the findings, the Secret Service stated that it agreed with the inspector general’s recommendations and noted that many of the suggested improvements had already been implemented as part of broader reform efforts. However, the report underscores a pattern of systemic shortcomings that contributed to the tragic outcome. These issues have drawn attention from multiple governmental bodies, including an earlier bipartisan independent panel and ongoing congressional investigations into the shooting. The incident has sparked renewed scrutiny of protocols for high-profile political events and the need for enhanced coordination between federal agencies and local law enforcement. As the fallout continues, questions remain about how such critical gaps can be prevented in future security operations.