In a recent hearing, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) disclosed a whistleblower’s claims that the Secret Service declined offers for drone surveillance from local law enforcement prior to the Butler, Pennsylvania rally where an assassination attempt on Trump occurred. According to the whistleblower, these offers were repeatedly denied the night before the rally, despite the availability of the technology to secure the event. The whistleblower also stated that, after the shooting, the Secret Service requested drone support to survey the site.
Hawley sent a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, demanding all records and communications about drone availability and usage at the rally. He questioned why the Secret Service allowed the shooter to fly his drone near the rally while not deploying their own. The drones offered could have identified and neutralized active shooters.
This revelation raises serious concerns about security lapses. Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle testified before Congress and resigned following the incident, asserting the agency’s commitment to its mission. FBI Director Christopher Wray mentioned that the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, had flown a drone near the rally hours before the attack, possibly livestreaming the event. Hawley has called for Mayorkas to testify before Congress regarding these security failures.
