BUTLER, Pa. — A U.S. Senate Committee report released Sunday reveals significant failures by the U.S. Secret Service during the attempted assassination of Donald Trump last year. The report, issued by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, highlights a series of missteps that culminated in the attack on July 13, 2024, at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Chairman Rand Paul, who led the investigation, stated that the report uncovers a “disturbing pattern of denials, mismanagement, and missed warning signs—some occurring just minutes before shots were fired.” The committee's bipartisan investigation was initiated shortly after the attack and is based on an extensive review of 75,000 pages of documents.

The report outlines what Paul describes as “stunning failures” by the Secret Service, which he claims allowed Trump to be shot. He emphasized, “The truth is, President Trump, and the nation, was fortunate. The once-again President survived despite being shot in the head.” Paul criticized the agency for its lack of accountability, stating, “Despite those failures, no one has been fired.” He called for reforms to ensure such a situation does not happen again.

The report details communication failures that led to misunderstandings between local law enforcement and Secret Service officials on the day of the rally. It notes that requests for additional security resources were often denied, despite the heightened risks surrounding Trump’s campaign events. For instance, a request for countersnipers at a rally in South Carolina was unfulfilled, even though countersnipers were present at the Butler rally.

Additionally, the report highlights that the Secret Service had previously determined that countersnipers should be present at all of Trump’s outdoor rallies due to increased threats. However, this protocol was not consistently followed, leading to vulnerabilities during the Butler rally.

Paul also pointed out that there has been “insufficient accountability” for the Secret Service officials involved in the planning and execution of security measures for the rally. He revealed that six individuals faced disciplinary action, but he deemed the penalties as “too weak to match the severity of the failures.”

In response to the report, U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran acknowledged the findings and stated that the agency has taken a serious look at its operations since the attack. Curran noted that substantive reforms have been implemented to address the failures that occurred that day. He expressed appreciation for the support from President Trump, Congress, and local partners in enhancing the agency’s efforts.

The report serves as a critical examination of the Secret Service's performance during a high-stakes event and raises questions about the agency's preparedness in protecting high-profile individuals.