Butler County Sheriff defends dept amid trump assassination probe
17 July 2024 14:56
The search for those responsible for the negligence surrounding the assassination attempt on Donald Trump's life has begun. The local police have faced a massive wave of criticism following statements by the head of the Secret Service. Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe defends his subordinates.
Michael Slupe, Butler County Sheriff, defended the officers from his unit. This occurred after the Secret Service leadership blamed the local authorities in Butler and the police there for failing to secure the roof from which the shooter fired.
“My deputies were performing their duties in their assigned areas and went above and beyond their responsibilities after the shooting started and ended,” said Slupe.
The sheriff added that just before the assassination attempt, two officers tried to stop the shooter. One pulled himself up to the roof and came face-to-face with 20-year-old Thomas Crooks. He jumped down when he saw the rifle aimed at his head. Slupe claims that this event distracted the assassin. The series of shots fired shortly afterward did not hit Trump.
Butler County sheriff claims his subordinates saved Trump's life
Michael Slupe, the sheriff of Butler County, where the failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump's life took place, defends his officers. He did so in response to statements made by Secret Service chief Kimberly Cheatle. She admitted that there were lapses.
“This is something that should never have happened,” emphasized Kimberly Cheatle in an interview with ABC News.
She pointed out that the building from which the would-be assassin fired was an outpost of the local police. Cheatle also announced that she does not intend to resign.
Americans want to clarify who was at fault and allowed the assassination attempt to happen
A determination of the sequence of events and identification of potential responsible parties in the Butler events will be undertaken by an independent team of experts. It was appointed by Alejandro Mayorkas, the Secretary of Homeland Security in President Joe Biden's cabinet.
Mayorkas described the entire situation as "a failure in security". The politician refrained from making hasty judgments and did not point to either the local police or the Secret Service. He assured that the head of these services, Kimberly Cheatle, has his full trust. Mayorkas also conveyed that Donald Trump's protection has been enhanced.