Secret Service staff put on leave over Trump assassination attempt

Some Secret Service staff involved in protecting Donald Trump at the rally where he was shot have been put on leave, a source close to the decisions has said.

The gunman, who has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead by the Secret Service at the scene after he tried to assassinate the former president in Butler, Pennsylvania, on 13 July.

Now, after an internal investigation into how the Secret Service prepared for the rally, “multiple” officials have apparently been placed on leave.

A source familiar with the investigation, quoted by Sky News’ partner network NBC, said those put on leave include the Special Agent in Charge of the Pittsburgh field office, which was responsible for coordinating the security plan with local police before the rally.

The attack in Butler saw the Republican presidential nominee drop to the ground as he was shot in the ear before being swiftly rushed off-stage by security staff.

One spectator was killed and two others were seriously injured in the attack.

Anthony Guglielmi, a Secret Service spokesman, said in a statement: “The US Secret Service is committed to investigating the decisions and actions of personnel related to the event in Butler, Pennsylvania and the attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump.

“The US Secret Service’s mission assurance review is progressing, and we are examining the processes, procedures and factors that led to this operational failure”.

Mr Guglielmi added: “The US Secret Service holds our personnel to the highest professional standards, and any identified and substantiated violations of policy will be investigated by the Office of Professional Responsibility for potential disciplinary action.

“Given this is a personnel matter, we are not in a position to comment further.”

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