Trump: 'Nobody said there was a problem' before shooting at election rally

Secret Service reportedly refused requests to beef up GOP nominee’s security at events; director to testify in Congress on Monday, faces calls to quit

Donald Trump said on Saturday nobody had warned him of a problem in the lead-up to the former US president’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania when a would-be assassin shot him in the ear.

“Nobody mentioned it, nobody said there was a problem. I would’ve waited for 15, they could’ve said let’s wait for 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 5 minutes, something. Nobody said,” Trump told Fox News in an interview.

“I think that was a mistake,” added the Republican presidential nominee. “How did somebody get on that roof? And why wasn’t he reported?”

Trump’s upper right ear was grazed when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. Crooks, whose motive remains unclear, hit three other people, killing one.

The Washington Post on Saturday reported that top officials at the US Secret Service repeatedly rejected requests from Trump’s security detail for more manpower and gear at events before the shooting.

The agency, which is responsible for Trump’s protection, denied these requests, saying at times that it lacked resources, the newspaper reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Republican nominee and former US President Donald Trump is surrounded by US Secret Service agents as he is helped off the stage after being shot at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Meanwhile, Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle has faced calls from Republicans and at least one Democrat to resign, as the agency’s blunders leading up to the assassination attempt come to light.

Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi had denied accusations that the agency had rebuffed requests for more security resources from Trump’s team.

In an emailed statement to Reuters on Sunday, Guglielmi said: “In some instances where specific Secret Service specialized units or resources were not provided, the agency made modifications to ensure the security of the protectee.”

“This may include utilizing state or local partners to provide specialized functions or otherwise identifying alternatives to reduce public exposure of a protectee,” Guglielmi added.

Police snipers return fire after shots were fired while former US president Donald Trump was speaking at a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Cheatle, the agency’s director, is set to testify before the US House of Representatives Oversight Committee on Monday for a hearing related to the shooting.

Cheatle has come under fire for the agency’s failure to secure the perimeter of Trump’s rally. Top Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Mike Johnson, have called for her to quit.

Democratic Rep. Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania also said Saturday that “the evidence coming to light has shown unacceptable operational failures” and he would have no confidence in Cheatle’s leadership if she were to stay on the job.

Speaking to ABC News on Monday, Cheatle called the shooting “unacceptable,” but said she has no plans to resign. So far she has the White House’s backing.