Dan Bongino Issues Blunt Warning to Lawmakers About Trump Assassination Attempt in Butler, PA

 

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore/CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr

Former Secret Service agent and political commentator Dan Bongino delivered a stark warning to lawmakers during a House Republican forum on the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Butler, PA. Bongino, known for his candid and direct approach, did not mince words as he outlined the severe security failures that led to the tragic incident.

In his opening remarks, Bongino described the event as an "apocalyptic security failure," emphasizing the gravity of the situation where three people were shot on live television, including former President Trump, whose life was nearly taken in the attack. "A man was murdered in front of his family," Bongino stated, highlighting the magnitude of the failure in protecting one of the nation's most prominent figures.

Bongino criticized the media's lack of coverage on the assassination attempt, contrasting it with the ongoing discussions about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. "It's amazing how we're still talking about JFK's assassination, but nobody seems to want to talk about President Trump being shot in the head on national television," he remarked, pointing out the disparity in media attention.

In his brief address, Bongino outlined three significant institutional problems within the Secret Service that he believes need urgent attention to prevent such incidents in the future.

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First, Bongino identified a "technology problem" within the Secret Service, describing the agency's reliance on outdated equipment and methods. "They rely on yesterday's technology tomorrow," he said, highlighting the agency's failure to modernize its systems, which he argues contributed to the catastrophic breach in security. Bongino mentioned that during his time in the Secret Service, the agency only implemented basic technologies, such as slings, years after they became standard elsewhere. He also pointed out the lack of advanced surveillance tools, like drones, which could have potentially thwarted the attack.

Second, Bongino criticized the "more with less" approach that the Secret Service has adopted, arguing that it has resulted in diminished effectiveness. "There's no more with less, there's less with less," he stated, highlighting how the agency's budget increases have not translated into improved security measures. He cited the example of a 20-year-old criminal outsmarting the Secret Service using a $40 drone, underscoring the agency's failure to adequately prepare for modern threats despite increased funding.

Lastly, Bongino called for a reevaluation of the Secret Service's investigative mission, which he described as "total crap." He argued that the agency's focus on investigating counterfeit notes and other non-protective duties detracts from its primary mission of protecting the President. "How is it we have a DEA, an FBI, and a thousand other entities with a $6 trillion budget, and we're wasting time running out counterfeit notes?" Bongino questioned, urging lawmakers to shift these responsibilities to other agencies and allow the Secret Service to concentrate on protection.

Bongino concluded his remarks by expressing his gratitude to the forum's organizers and attendees, reiterating the critical need for reform within the Secret Service to ensure that such a catastrophic failure does not happen again. His blunt assessment served as a wake-up call to lawmakers and security officials alike, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the vulnerabilities that allowed the attempted assassination of former President Trump to occur.

Top 5 FAQs

1. What did Dan Bongino say about the security failure at the Trump rally in Butler, PA?

   • Dan Bongino described the security breach as an "apocalyptic security failure," emphasizing that it nearly led to the assassination of former President Donald Trump and resulted in multiple people being shot on live television.

2. What institutional problems within the Secret Service did Bongino highlight?

   • Bongino identified three main issues: the agency's reliance on outdated technology, the flawed "more with less" approach, and the distraction of investigative missions that take focus away from protecting the President.

3. Why did Bongino criticize the media coverage of the assassination attempt?

   • Bongino criticized the media for not giving the assassination attempt on Trump the same level of attention as historical events like the assassination of JFK, despite its severity and the fact that it was broadcasted live.

4. What specific technological shortcomings did Bongino mention about the Secret Service?

   • Bongino mentioned that the Secret Service uses outdated technology, failing to adopt modern surveillance tools like drones, which could have been crucial in preventing the assassination attempt.

5. What changes did Bongino suggest to improve the Secret Service’s effectiveness?

   • Bongino suggested that the Secret Service should focus solely on protection, delegating investigative missions like counterfeiting to other agencies. He also emphasized the need for technological upgrades and a reassessment of resource allocation.