Number of rookie Secret Service agents rose as veteran members dwindled in years leading up to Trump shooting

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Independent

Thursday 02 January 2025 03:05 GMT


In the years leading up to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania this summer, the number of veteran Secret Service agents sharply declined, while more rookies filled the ranks, according to a Washington Post analysis.

Beginning in 2015, agents with less than five years of experience rose from about 15 percent to 40 percent of the elite security agency, while staff with 11 to 20 years of experience declined from more than 50 percent of the Secret Service to making up about 25 percent.

One of those junior agents was tasked with leading security planning around the Butler, Pennsylvania, rally in July when gunman Matthew Crooks nearly killed Donald Trump, grazing the then-candidate’s ear with a bullet. The agent joined the Secret Service just four years before the shooting, and had only been on the president’s protective detail since 2023.

The Secret Service’s management of security at the Pennsylvania rally, where Crooks was able to fire on Trump from a nearby rooftop with a clear view of the event stage, has come under heavy scrutiny. After the shooting, Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle resigned in late July.

Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/trump-secret-service-assassination-agent-b2672588.html

[LiberalArkie]

1. So, the Trump administration was filling the ranks with new hires?

And if his attempted assassination is correct then he almost paid the price for it?

[jimfields33]

2. How long are you considered a rookie?

[Igel]

3. Who else do you hire?

You can't hire the people already working for you--"old hires".

The budget issue indicates the reason isn't an expansion of the corps (which would also lead to a new hire bulge). On the other hand, between budget, Trump, COVID, and the lack of a need to go into law enforcement when the mood in 2021 was to look down on the oppressors, there you go. Police forces had the same problem. Even the military had problems (although arguably a lot of the military's problem was fitness, drugs, and drop-outs.)

There's no indication that things changed in 2021. Because if the Biden admin wanted to replace retirees, it would have to, um, replace them with new hires.

[LiberalArkie]

4. Did Trump hire new agents from ex-Blackwater employees? I would imagine Biden hired from federal law enforcementment

[cstanleytech]

5. I still find it difficult to understand how they missed that area where the first incident occurred.

Even with rookies it's not rocket science to make sure areas of potential angles of shooting are secured.

[DENVERPOPS]

6. I recall another SS nightmare

occurring 2000-2008. All of the Bush Admin decided they were so important they needed 24/7 Secret Service protection just like WBush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, etc etc etc. The SS was overwhelmed, and needed great numbers of new agents immediately. It caused a huge mess with the SS.......

Then as I recall, reportedly Seven Agents quit, who were assigned to Jenna Bush......She would iINTENTIONALLY make a game of ditching her SS Detail, then call her daddy and tell him her SS agents weren't protecting her.........The agents requested transfers due to her nightmarish insolence and were denied so they all quit......