In the aftermath of the assassination attempt against Donald Trump, Fox News has reported that at least five members of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) have been placed on administrative leave.
According to the report, one member of Trump’s personal protective team and four members of the Secret Service’s Pittsburgh Field Office, including the special agent in charge, have been placed on leave nearly six weeks after the incident.
The news of the suspensions come as the Secret Service investigates the security failure which led to Thomas Matthew Crooks firing off several shots from the nearby AGR building.
One bullet grazed Trump’s right ear, while firefighter Corey Comperatore was fatally struck. Rally-goers James Copenhaver and David Dutch were also shot and injured.
Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned less than two weeks after the shooting and after giving her initial testimony about the event before members of Congress. Various lawmakers have called on the Secret Service to make personnel changes and fire employees in the wake of the deadly incident.
The Secret Service said in a statement that the agency is committed to investigating the decisions and actions of personnel in relation to the July 13 event.
“The U.S. Secret Service’s mission assurance review is progressing, and we are examining the processes, procedures and factors that led to this operational failure,” Anthony Guglielmi, the USSS chief of communications said in a statement.
“The U.S. 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.”