The United States Secret Service (USSS) has suspended six agents in connection with an assassination attempt during President Donald Trump's candidacy. This late disciplinary action comes about a year after the incident occurred.
According to local media, including ABC News, on the 9th (local time), the suspended agents included a variety of roles, from supervisory positions to field agents. The suspension period is reported to range from a minimum of 10 days to a maximum of 42 days. After returning, they will be assigned limited tasks or moved to positions with less operational responsibility.
President Trump was shot while campaigning in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13 of last year when he was the Republican presidential candidate. As a result of this incident, Trump sustained an injury to his right ear, and firefighter Corey Comegys, who was present on the scene, lost his life.
At the time, the Secret Service faced criticism for failing to prevent the shooting, despite having identified the sniper, Thomas Matthew Crooks, located on the roof of a building near the campaign site.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) noted in an independent review report that "the Secret Service is bureaucratic and complacent, and has failed to demonstrate the highest level of capability required for mission execution."
A bipartisan congressional task force report also concluded that this was a shooting incident that could have been prevented.
Kimberly Cheatle, then-director of the Secret Service, resigned ten days after the incident, taking responsibility for the security failure.
Matt Quinn, deputy director of the Secret Service, commented on the disciplinary action, saying, "It was an operational failure, and we take full responsibility."
However, he stated, "Firing alone will not resolve this issue," adding, "We are focused on addressing the fundamental flaws that led to the situation."