OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
A Secret Service counter-sniper has sent an internal memo calling for more resignations of top agency officials in the wake of the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, even going so far as to predict another attempt soon.
The memo’s contents, which Susan Crabtree of Real Clear Politics White House correspondent first reported and then posted on the X platform, allegedly came from an unidentified counter-sniper who was venting about the attempt on Trump’s life and pointing out serious flaws within the protective agency.
But most notable is the counter sniper’s prediction that another attempt on Trump’s life could come within “30 days.”
“A Secret Service counter sniper sent an email Monday night to the entire Uniformed Division (not agents) saying he will not stop speaking out until ‘5 high-level supervisors (1 down) are either fired or removed from their current positions,’” Crabtree wrote on X. “The counter sniper also said the agency ‘SHOULD expect another assassination attempt’ before November and complained that he is no longer proud to be a USSS counter sniper after leadership failed the officers at the Trump rally in Butler on 7/13.”
“This agency NEEDS to change,” the sniper wrote in the email. “If not now, WHEN? “The NEXT assassination in 30 days?”
The counter sniper added: “Sadly we have fallen short for YEARS. We just look good doing it. I have conveyed these thoughts to not only supervisors (to include the current Captain of CS, but those responsible for training us (SOTS/CS). Only to be brushed off as those with less experience somehow knew more than me.”
“The team I was once proud to be a part of, is something I have to somehow hide as I move into my next career,” the counter-sniper continued. “Who wants to hire a USSS CS guy who failed? That’s the public perception I’m not faced with. The USSS CS team is a stain I will never be able to cleanse.
“Failure is not an option, and on 7/13/24, WE failed. Not because of commitment or sense of dedication. But because our SUPERVISORS (aka leadership) knew better and thought our concerns were less than important,” the email said. “The motto of the USSS…CYA. And every supervisor is doing it right now.”
Crabtree wrote that the agency quickly deleted the email, but she managed to obtain a copy of it before that happened.
🚨🚨🚨 EXCLUSIVE: A Secret Service counter sniper sent an email Monday night to the entire Uniformed Division (not agents) saying he will not stop speaking out until “5 high-level supervisors (1 down) are either fired or removed from their current positions.” The counter sniper… pic.twitter.com/0dg99EESQk
— Susan Crabtree (@susancrabtree) July 30, 2024
Meanwhile, Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe was reportedly involved in denying requests for additional security resources and personnel, including counter-snipers, for former President Trump’s rallies and events. Those decisions came despite repeated appeals from the agents assigned to Trump’s detail over the two years leading up to his attempted assassination on July 13, according to sources familiar with the situation, as reported separately by RealClearPolitics.
Rowe replaced former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who stepped down last week after facing bipartisan criticism for her contentious testimony before the House Oversight Committee.
Both Rowe and Cheatle were involved in decisions to deny requests for additional magnetometers, extra agents, and other resources to screen attendees at large outdoor Trump campaign events. According to sources, it was Rowe’s decision alone to deny counter-sniper teams to any Trump event located outside driving distance from D.C., as reported by the outlet.
Rowe and FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate testified Tuesday before a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees.
“The hearing comes one day after the FBI released new details about its investigation into the shooting, revealing that the gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, had looked online for information about mass shootings, power plants, improvised explosive devices and the May assassination attempt of the Slovakian prime minister,” The Associated Press reported.
“The FBI also said that Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential nominee, has agreed to be interviewed by agents as a crime victim. The bureau said last week that the former president had been struck in the ear by a bullet or fragment of one. Trump said Monday evening that he expected that interview to take place Thursday,” the outlet added.
