It's been almost two months since the attempt on former President Trump's life during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and the fallout is still underway. In particular, the head-rolling at the United States Secret Service (USSS) in the wake of the attempted assassination continues to pick up steam, like a snowball rolling down a hill. Now it's an Assistant Director of Protective Operations, Michael Plati, who has been "asked to retire."
You can probably read that as "fired."
A high-ranking leader within the United States Secret Service (USSS) has been asked to retire, Fox News Digital has learned.
Michael Plati, the office of protective operations assistant director, has been asked to retire from his position, and he is ending his tenure with the service in the coming days.
The decision is reportedly linked with the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania — a security failure that has sent shock waves through all levels of the agency.
It's unclear why Plati was asked to step down, and the USSS appears to be keeping mum on the topic - so far. But it would seem like someone who carries the title of "Assistant Director of Protective Operations" would be a primary name on the blame line for a debacle like the Butler, Pennsylvania attempt on the life of a USSS protectee. As of this writing it does not appear anyone else from that department has similarly been asked to resign.
USSS Director Kimberly Cheatle has already resigned from her position.
RELATED: Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle Resigns After Disastrous Hearing
Plati was asked to step down by senior leadership, including Acting Director Ronald Rowe.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the USSS for comment and is awaiting its response.
An agent who asked to remain anonymous was not happy about Plati's retirement. "Mike Plati is known for his integrity and honesty, qualities that are especially commendable at his level of leadership within the Secret Service," the agent told Fox News.
One wonders if this will be the last head to roll in this affair.
See Related: New Secret Service Whistleblower Revelations Show Acting Director Rowe's Involvement in Butler Failure
Merited or not, this dismissal wouldn't appear to be the calamity to Mr. Plati that some might claim. He will, presumably, retire with pension and benefits intact, and will probably land on his feet with a role in private security or even as a part-time talking head for one of the news networks.
It's important to note that the USSS is charged with a vital role: Protecting the lives and well-being of their protectees, no matter who that person is, no matter what is required, up to and including action as a meat shield to stop bullets aimed at one's principal. Failure is not an option in such a line of work, and failure is precisely what happened in Butler. It was only through the fortuitous, last-moment turn of the head that former President Trump escaped being killed.
We will continue to monitor the fallout of the attempt on the former President's life and bring you updates as events warrant.
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