Six Secret Service agents suspended over Trump assassination attempt

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – U.S. Secret Service agents have been suspended for their actions during the July 2024 assassination attempt on then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. The U.S. Secret Service confirmed the disciplinary measures Thursday.

The suspensions follow a yearlong internal investigation and a contentious congressional hearing that led to the resignation of the agency’s former director. The incident occurred on July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman opened fire from a rooftop approximately 500 feet away, striking Trump and killing firefighter Corey Comperatore.

The agents were suspended specifically for their roles on the day of the attack. The punishments range from 10 to 42 days without pay or benefits.

The Secret Service’s internal review cited a breakdown in communication and a lack of diligence that allowed the gunman to position himself undetected and fire on the crowd. The shooter was killed by agents only after he opened fire, fatally wounding Comperatore and injuring others, including Trump.

In a statement, the Secret Service said, “The reforms made over this last year are just the beginning, and the agency will continue to assess its operations… and make additional changes as needed.”

The current director of the Secret Service has called the events of that day a “failure” and vowed to implement reforms and hold personnel accountable.

Former Secret Service agent Robert McDonald described the incident as a critical wake-up call for the agency.

“I think they’ve gotten the message,” McDonald told NewsNation. “They’ve tightened up their supervisory capabilities … I think they’re headed in the right direction.”

It remains unclear whether additional disciplinary actions will be taken.