On Wednesday, a Department of Homeland Security investigation was opened into the Secret Service's actions during former president Donald Trump's rally on July 13th, where a lone gunman was able to get past detection by agency counter-sniper teams and open fire on Trump, wounding him and two others, and killing one more. 

In a posting to their website, the Department's Inspector General said that the objective of the investigation was to “Evaluate the United States Secret Service’s (Secret Service) process for securing former President Trump’s July 13, 2024 campaign event.” However, there was no notice of when the investigation started, and it was included in a long list of other inspector general investigations that the office is pursuing. 

President Joe Biden has already directed an independent investigation into the incident, however, it is unclear as to who or what agency is leading that investigation. 

The attempt on Trump's life came as a shock to the Nation, as questions about the incident continue to mount. Experts and non-experts alike are asking how a lone gunman was able to climb onto a roof that was located less than 160 yards away from where Trump was standing and secure a firing position, where he was able to get off several shots, before being neutralized by a Secret Service counter-sniper team. This poses some serious concerns, as Secret Service snipers are some of the best-trained marksmen in the world, receiving top-tier training reserved for special operations units. 

Counter-sniper operations are one of the most difficult things to do under ideal conditions, let alone bad ones. Given the conditions of the day in question, with good weather and lots of light, observing the rooftops of a cluster of buildings would have been a relatively easy task.  

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However, the suspect, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was able to not only secure a firing position but was able to evade detection and prosecution by the Secret Service snipers for several minutes before he decided to open fire. Crooks came within mere millimeters of killing Trump, sending one round through the top of his right ear. However, Crooks was able to fire more shots that critically wounded two others in the audience and fatally wounded Cory Comperatore.

Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle said the agency understands the importance of the review ordered by Biden and would fully participate in it as well as with congressional committees looking into the shooting. She said the agency was working to understand how Saturday’s shooting happened and to make sure something like it never does again.

While the Secret Service is comprised of nearly 8,000 members, they are tasked with providing protective details on more than just the President and Vice-President and the top Presidential candidates. They also handle the security for top administration officials, members in the direct line of succession to the Presidency, and their families.