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TOPICS:

Trump rallySecurityWhistleblowersSecret ServiceHomeland SecurityAssassination attemptThomas Matthew CrooksJ.D. Vance

WASHINGTON (TND) — Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas claiming whistleblowers with direct knowledge of the July 13 Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, considered it a “loose” security event. Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, attempted to assassinate the former president during the rally.

According to Hawley, the whistleblowers say this means canines were not used at security, people were given access backstage without usual clearance and there was less security personnel around the podium and the event perimeter.

The whistleblowers also allege the majority of officers on site that day were Homeland Security Investigations agents, not Secret Service agents. Hawley points out this is important because it means the people on site were unfamiliar with the standards and protocols typically used at such rallies.

This comes as Trump is preparing to hold his first campaign rally Saturday since the attempted assassination. He’ll be joined for the first time by his new vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance. The event will be held at an indoor arena in Michigan as security concerns remain heightened.

Even though the Secret Service remains under intense scrutiny, Trump expressed immense gratitude to the agents assigned to his personal detail.

Bullets were continuing to fly as very brave...

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