• A Senate report highlights serious failures in the Secret Service’s handling of the Trump assassination attempt.
• Communication breakdowns and denied security requests contributed to the incident.
• Senator Rand Paul criticizes the lack of accountability post-incident.

A U.S. Senate report released on July 13, 2025, criticizes the United States Secret Service (USSS) for a "cascade of preventable failures" that allowed a gunman to shoot then-presidential candidate Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a year earlier. The report, released by Senator Rand Paul, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, highlights serious lapses in coordination and communication that jeopardized Trump's safety, ultimately blaming the agency for the incident that left one dead and Trump himself grazed by a bullet. Six individuals have faced disciplinary actions, ranging from suspensions of 10 to 42 days without pay, yet no firings were recommended, citing "inexcusable" consequences following such failures, according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.

The Senate report uncovered significant issues in the Secret Service's operational protocols leading up to the assassination attempt, revealing that the agency had denied multiple requests for additional resources from Trump's security detail. This included crucial security measures such as counter drone systems and counter assault teams. The inquiry further noted that a lack of structured communication significantly hindered the agency's responsiveness to threats on the day of the rally. Such failures, compounded by a failure to act on credible intelligence, almost cost Trump his life, as expressed by committee findings detailing the build-up to the incident, according to CBS News, ABC News, and NPR.

According to the Senate committee, the Secret Service exhibited “a complete breakdown of security at every level”, with callous disregard for existing vulnerabilities. Problems intensified during the incident itself, as crucial information regarding suspicious individuals was not communicated effectively, leaving Trump exposed during the rally. The report also labeled the past director's testimony misleading, as it indicated that no support requests were denied despite evidence indicating otherwise. Official responses have suggested that reforms are underway to address these lapses, yet some officials still express dissatisfaction over the accountability measures taken, as no significant personnel changes occurred following the report's findings, reported by South China Morning Post, India Times, and TRT Global.

Former President Trump reflected on the horrifying events by acknowledging the mistakes made but appearing satisfied with the investigation's progress. Trump's account of the attack underscored his belief in divine protection during the chaotic moments of the shooting. While the Senate committee has detailed a reckoning for the Secret Service, Trump emphasized the constant danger inherent in the presidential role yet remains optimistic about the operational reforms touted by the agency's current leadership, according to Dawn, AA, and TRT Global.