Six U.S. Secret Service agents have been suspended over their conduct related to the assassination attempt on President Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year, according to a report first published by ABC News.
Deputy Director Matt Quinn confirmed to CBS News that the agents were placed on administrative leave following an internal review of operational failures during the July 13, 2024, rally shooting. The disciplinary actions ranged from 10 to 42 days, following federally mandated procedures.
Quinn stated that the suspended agents were not fired but reassigned to roles with fewer operational responsibilities once their suspensions ended. He emphasized that the agency is focused on identifying and addressing the root causes of the failure. “We’re going to focus on the root cause and fix the deficiencies that put us in that situation,” Quinn said. “Secret Service is totally accountable for Butler. Butler was an operational failure, and we are focused today on ensuring that it never happens again.”
The leadership fallout from the incident led to the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle amid growing bipartisan criticism. Cheatle had described the Butler incident as the most significant operational breakdown the agency had experienced in decades.
A bipartisan congressional task force later concluded that the shooting was preventable and should never have occurred. However, the same report praised the Secret Service’s response to a second assassination attempt against Trump that took place in September 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida, stating that it showcased how well-executed protective strategies can prevent tragedy. Trump also commended the agency for their response in that case, calling it “fantastic.”
In reaction to the disciplinary actions, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), a member of the House Oversight Committee, wrote on X, “Given the shocking security failures that day, this is the absolute bare minimum.”
