
A whistleblower revealed to Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) that the Secret Service declined local law enforcement’s offer of drone surveillance before the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The whistleblower stated that the Secret Service repeatedly refused the use of drones the night before the event, despite the technology being available to secure the site. However, after the shooting occurred, they requested drone deployment to survey the aftermath.
Hawley demanded records and communications regarding the availability and use of drones from DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, questioning why the Secret Service allowed the shooter to use his drone while not deploying their own. The offered drones could have identified and neutralized threats. This raises serious concerns about security lapses.
FBI Director Christopher Wray testified that shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks had flown a drone near the rally site hours before the attack, potentially livestreaming the event. The drone was recovered from Crooks’ vehicle. Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle testified before Congress and resigned the following day amid mounting pressure. She defended the agency’s mission but acknowledged failures in security measures.
Hawley has called for Mayorkas to testify before Congress about these security failures, stressing the importance of addressing these issues to prevent future incidents. The revelation has sparked a debate about the effectiveness and preparedness of the Secret Service in protecting high-profile political figures.