07/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/23/2024 20:19
Additional records I've obtained show that a Secret Service Counter Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) operator was on the personnel list assigned to the July 13, 2024 event, and then-Director Cheatle testified yesterday that "there are times during a security plan that the Secret Service does deploy an asset like a drone."[1] Yet, it's reported that the gunman flew a video capable drone over the event site hours before former President Trump took the stage, which may have helped him plan the attack.[2] Is that reporting accurate? Is the below document accurate?
On July 16, 2024, I wrote to DHS and the Secret Service requesting information and records about the catastrophic security failures that resulted in the July 13, 2024 assassination attempt on former President Trump, which resulted in one person being killed and two others being seriously wounded.[1] On July 20, 2024, I provided DHS and the Secret Service portions of emails relating to "post standers" and requested to know the total number of post standers at the Jill Biden and Trump events on July 13, 2024, as well as the total number of federal personnel present at the Trump rally. Recently, I have also obtained video footage of the aftermath of the shooting, in which local law enforcement can be heard discussing drone availability to clear the water tower.[2]
The Secret Service must provide its operational security plan showing the locations and roles of all federal personnel assigned to secure the July 13, 2024 event. Please provide answers to the following no later than July 30, 2024.
Thank you for your prompt review and response. If you have any questions, please contact Brian Randolph and Silvia Symber on my Committee staff at (202) 224-0642.
Sincerely,
Chuck Grassley
Ranking Member
Committee on the Budget
-30-
[1] "Records" include any written, recorded, or graphic material of any kind, including letters, memoranda, reports, notes, electronic data (e-mails, email attachments, and any other electronically-created or stored information), calendar entries, inter-office communications, meeting minutes, phone/voice mail or recordings/records of verbal communications, and drafts (whether or not they resulted in final documents).
[2] Press Release, Grassley Launches Secret Service Investigation Following Assassination Attempt against Former President Trump, (Jul. 17, 2024) https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-launches-secret-service-investigation-following-assassination-attempt-against-former-president-trump.
[3] The video was obtained from the Beaver County Emergency Services Unit in compliance with congressional requests.
[4] House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, Oversight of the U.S. Secret Service and the Attempted Assassination of President Donald J. Trump, CQ Transcript (Jul. 22, 2024) https://oversight.house.gov/hearing/oversight-of-the-u-s-secret-service-and-the-attempted-assassination-of-president-donald-j-trump/. The information under the redactions makes clear the "Counter UAS" was a Secret Service employee.
[5] Michael Kosnar and Ken Dilanian, Trump shooter flew drone over venue hours before attempted assassination, source says, NBC News (Jul. 19, 2024) https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-shooter-flew-drone-venue-hours-attempted-assassination-source-sa-rcna162817.