Former U.S. President Donald Trump has described the attempted assassination against him last year as a moment of grave mistakes but said he is content with the outcome of the investigation. Speaking in an exclusive interview with his daughter-in-law Lara Trump on her Fox News program, Trump, 79, reflected on the shocking event, saying the Secret Service simply “had a bad day.”
The incident happened during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet grazed Trump’s ear. One person in the crowd was killed, and two others were injured before a Secret Service counter-sniper fatally shot the gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks. Trump credited the sniper, identified only as David, for preventing greater tragedy, saying his precise action from long distance saved many lives.
The attack, which took place on July 13, 2024, sparked a major investigation. Trump admitted he was disoriented in the moment but managed to react quickly as panic spread among the crowd. “I got whacked. There’s no question about that,” he said, recalling the chaos. “Fortunately, I got down quickly. People were screaming.”
On Thursday, the U.S. Secret Service acknowledged what it called “an operational failure,” citing multiple errors — including lapses in communication, technical systems, and personnel judgment. Six agents have been disciplined, receiving suspensions ranging from 10 to 42 days without pay, and have been reassigned to non-active roles.
The agency revealed it is now implementing several reforms to avoid a repeat of such a breach, including enhanced coordination among law enforcement agencies and a new unit dedicated to aerial surveillance. The Secret Service also disclosed an increase in the use of armored golf carts for presidential transport, especially at Trump’s golf properties where he reportedly faced another plot last September.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran stated, “The agency has taken many steps to ensure such an event can never be repeated in the future.”
