Secret Service Boss Blames 'Sloped Roof' In Trump Assassination Bid

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has now defended the decision not to guard the roof from which Thomas Crooks allegedly fired at Donald Trump, citing safety concerns. Cheatle acknowledged that the sloped structure of the roof posed safety risks for personnel, stating, "That building in particular has a sloped roof at its highest point. And so, you know, there’s a safety factor that would be considered there that we wouldn’t want to put somebody up on a sloped roof." Despite facing criticism for the security lapse, Cheatle emphasized that she remains resolute in her position and has no intention of resigning, claims media reports. 

From the vantage point on the roof, Crooks reportedly had a direct line of sight to Trump and discharged rounds from an AR-style semiautomatic rifle, narrowly missing the former president's right ear. 

Earlier, Secret Service Chief of the United States, issued her first public statement, saying that the agency would completely participate in investigations announced by President Joe Biden and the members of Congress. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle also stated that the Secret Service Agency has implemented adequate changes to Trump’s security following the Saturday shooting incident at public events and campaign rallies.

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle's statement has come up after the assassination attempt on Republican nominee Donald Trump for the November Presidential elections in the US on Saturday, during which a gunman shot at Trump at his election rally in Pennsylvania’s Butler. Following the incident, there were allegations that the Secret Service agents failed to prevent the gunman from shooting and causing injury to the former US President.

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After the incident, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said that it is investigating the incident that took place on Saturday at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania as an assassination attempt.

Cheatle, in her first major statement since the shooting incident in Pennsylvania injuring Donald Trump, killing one rally attendee and wounding another, said that the agency was increasing security for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which kicks off on Monday. "I am confident in the security plan our Secret Service RNC coordinator and our partners have put in place, which we have reviewed and strengthened in the wake of Saturday's shooting," Cheatle said in a statement.

The Secret Service chief said that the agency has implemented changes to Trump's security detail since Saturday to ensure his protection during the convention and the remainder of the campaign.

After the shooting incident on Saturday, Trump said, a bullet grazed his ear during the rally, however he is doing fine. Following the incident, he travelled to Milwaukee on Sunday and is expected to receive his party's formal nomination later this week.