Bro do not trust a 4chan screenshotUnconfirmed, so skepticism is warranted here. Sharing as it aligns with what the evidence appears to show.
Bro do not trust a 4chan screenshotUnconfirmed, so skepticism is warranted here. Sharing as it aligns with what the evidence appears to show.
My only problem with this explanation is there were no buildings seen in the overhead image of the site beyond the set of buildings the would be assassin was on. Other than a water tower. So what exactly were the counter snipers watching other than those buildings?
Check out this thread. It explains it in a very plausible way. I thought the exact same thing you did until I read through this. Nothing political in that link, promise.
Seems likely to me that those buildings were supposed to be secured by local LE or or another unit, and they were likely scanning for the truly long distant sniper threats.My only problem with this explanation is there were no buildings seen in the overhead image of the site beyond the set of buildings the would be assassin was on. Other than a water tower. So what exactly were the counter snipers watching other than those buildings?
There were some buildings adjacent to the rally stage I think. I saw a satellite picture of itMy only problem with this explanation is there were no buildings seen in the overhead image of the site beyond the set of buildings the would be assassin was on. Other than a water tower. So what exactly were the counter snipers watching other than those buildings?
Most level headed individuals likely agree.This is what I suspect surely was happening.
Social media can so easily twist fiction into perceived fact.
I’ve wondered if there was simply also a very brief pause as the counter sniper was trying to get word on if that was a good guy or bad guy. Or simply find the guy.
Yes, there were important breakdowns somewhere. But also marvel at the speed and efficiency at which so many of these folks work.
Yeah idk how they think that is a real possibilityYou've lost your mind.
Holy shyt if trueUnconfirmed, so skepticism is warranted here. Sharing as it aligns with what the evidence appears to show.
Its a 4chan screenshot manHoly shyt if true
You must be unaware and that's ok.Bro do not trust a 4chan screenshot
My first response.
FBI ? Laughing my f#cking ass off.
That’s rich.
They need to serve some more search warrants.
I know y’all have a lot of questions (I’ve received more than my fair share).
I have as many questions as I have answers, so it’s been a struggle.
I’ll try to answer as many as I can, as soon as possible.
Sorry for any delay. Going to be a process.
Just thinking that it would be more efficient in one thread.
![]()
Unaware of what? That it's freaking insane to think any of that message is legitimate?You must be unaware and that's ok.
im hopeful they dont REALLY believe that....if so, then wowYeah idk how they think that is a real possibility
I see your point too. The thread is saying their zone of surveillance was just a lot further out than where the shooter was. It seems to me like the counter sniper just happens to catch something that made him double take, and then significantly lower the trajectory of his rifle, which would make sense to target something much closer than where you were supposed to be surveiling. What other zone he would have been watching, I couldn't say.My only problem with this explanation is there were no buildings seen in the overhead image of the site beyond the set of buildings the would be assassin was on. Other than a water tower. So what exactly were the counter snipers watching other than those buildings?
And to be clear, I didn't want to give the impression that I was saying that is definitely what happened, just that it sounded a lot more plausible than "USSS had him in his sights and didn't shoot."
I'm very curious about this too. If the picture of the bullet whizzing by Trump's head is real, and it seems to be even though I don't know how, it would seem to be in the area to his immediate left from the perspective of him facing up to the podium.Has it been discussed where the man who lost his life and the two injured citizens were located in the crowd?
i think the counter-sniper got a message in his ear to re-direct his focus area. that would explain the head jerk.I see your point too. The thread is saying their zone of surveillance was just a lot further out than where the shooter was. It seems to me like the counter sniper just happens to catch something that made him double take, and then significantly lower the trajectory of his rifle, which would make sense to target something much closer than where you were supposed to be surveiling. What other zone he would have been watching, I couldn't say.
And to be clear, I didn't want to give the impression that I was saying that is definitely what happened, just that it sounded a lot more plausible than "USSS had him in his sights and didn't shoot."
I see your point too. The thread is saying their zone of surveillance was just a lot further out than where the shooter was. It seems to me like the counter sniper just happens to catch something that made him double take, and then significantly lower the trajectory of his rifle, which would make sense to target something much closer than where you were supposed to be surveiling. What other zone he would have been watching, I couldn't say.
And to be clear, I didn't want to give the impression that I was saying that is definitely what happened, just that it sounded a lot more plausible than "USSS had him in his sights and didn't shoot."
That thread also addresses that that building was likely in the 2nd perimeter, which would have largely been the responsibility of local law enforcement that USSS contracts with. If what that person says is accurate, the breakdown in security happened, it sounds like, because local law enforcement just didn't do a good job.Let’s be more clear, there were what 6 small to moderate size buildings in the area? The one in question was the distance from the bottom of the Hill to the West Endzone and no one, no one had it covered.
Good info. I just want people to hear what could be very plausible explanations for things before assuming the USSS was in on something. I'm worried the online edgelords are going to try and identify and harass the men on that CS team.It was stated somewhere (on tv) that the effective kill zone limit for an AR is 600 - 700 yards. While certain rifles with trained shooters can certainly shoot farther, It is hard to imagine the CS’s were looking much beyond that.
I am a hunter and use a 30-06 with a powerful scope. When I am zoomed out looking 300-400 yards out, you can’t find anything close very easily. I would have to totally re-adjust my scope to come close to finding something just 130 yards away, it would be hard with out looking up and getting a bead and even then it wouldn’t be a sure thing to drop the hairs on it quickly.
Do you not agree that this was a massive breakdown or failure that a non military/trained 20 year old with his Dads AR scaled a roof 130 yards from the President in pure daylight and shot and hit our President and killed another? I do not agree that they took care of business yesterday. Only reason he’s not dead today is the kid “missed” the kill shot by millimeters. This is a total F up.
Not going to ask about ROE because it’s classified.This thread is not going as planned.
Please keep your political/and-or/other thoughts to yourself.
If you have a question about USSS procedures and protocols, I will do my best to answer.
Thanks to all.
#1 This a fail for the USSS in that FPOTUS Trump was lightly wounded (barely escaping MUCH WORSE), one man in the audience lost his life, and two more were critically wounded.
#2 Ultimately, the USSS did accomplish the mission of safely covering and evacuating FPOTUS Trump AND neutralizing the threat (sniper). Very close to LOSING the game.
There will be a thorough review and investigation, and someone is very likely to lose their job(s) at the USSS.
First time since March 30, 1981 that shots were fired at a current POTUS or FPOTUS...43 years is a long time, and that didn't happen by accident. "Not on my watch"...we were known to say.
How did this 20 year old psychotic get through the outer security perimeter AND get to the roof of the building... SO VERY close to FPOTUS Trump's stage? I've no clue.
The inherent problem with large outdoor venues like this (I've worked HUNDREDS of them) is just that....they are LARGE OUTDOOR venues that are nearly impossible 100% safely secure.
Add to the fact that most of the "security posts" held on the outer perimeter are held by either local or state law enforcement, that have little to no direct communications with the USSS shift agents or tactical units. You will see "comms" or lack thereof mentioned again.
The USSS is so lightly staffed (3,000 or so agents world wide) that they can't perform their mission without help from local, state and other federal law enforcement agencies. Add to the fact that this was ANOTHER campaign stop in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania, and you have a recipe for disaster.
To illustrate, I know on one of FPOTUS Trump's recent visits to South Carolina...SCDNR guys held outer perimeter posts...no disrespect, but you can see where I'm going with this
When the Presidential Protective Division (PPD) sends out advance teams...they come from The White House. Agents that are permanently assigned to PPD for up to 6 years .
Agents conducting site advances on the "campaign" for FPOTUS Trump might have less than a year on the job, or be so long in the tooth that they just go through the motions. Suffice to say that it's probably not the best product...and that might very well be what we witnessed yesterday.
We also knew as USSS agents, that if someone is willing to die in order to assassinate the POTUS or VPOTUS, it would be very difficult to stop.
Countersniper (CS) teams: 2 man elements staffed by USSS Uniformed Division technicians (not USSS GS-1811 special agents). I worked with the USSS CS teams for years. Extremely professional and detail oriented. Some of the best snipers in the world (many with military backgrounds) . As you can imagine, they have a tendency to operate on their own, so "comms" between USSS agents and USSS CS could certainly be improved.
I haven't listened to ANY of the theories spewed by so called "experts" from the FBI or other retired USSS agents, because almost none of them have the experience level or expertise that I possess. True.
Breaking it down to the easiest of terms...
A) Massive security breach of the outer perimeter. Unacceptable.
B) There is always a CS response team (comprised of 2 USSS special agents) that are in direct communication with the CS teams (Call sign Hercules). Certainly a critical breakdown in communications there. Appears that by the time CS spotted the sniper, it was way too late to have agents respond to the roof...which is their only mission.
C) The shift agents around FPOTUS Trump did a GREAT job in FIRST covering and THEN evacuating the FPOTUS. CAT (call sign Hawkeye) also responded in seconds form their staging area (out of public view but very close by). CAT is the highly trained and heavily armed tactical unit that provides support to the shift, and also responds to sniper fire, multiple attackers, RPGs, etc. Top 1% of the USSS....which leads me to this...
There have been discussions and comments on this site about the appearance and quality of certain USSS agents that were protecting FPOTUS Trump.
This is not a new problem for the USSS. I saw it almost 30 years ago on PPD. DEI was alive and well in the USSS even then, and we all paid the price. I was passed over for promotions and positions while others (that possessed different traits than I ) were moved up the ladder.
I persevered and won out in the end...but anyone with 1 eye can see that the USSS has some issues to deal with. Not saying that this was the cause of the catastrophe yesterday....but it doesn't help.
I had a conversation with then Vice President Biden in his office on Air Force II.
He asked me "Billy, why is the President's detail having all of these problems, and we don't have any issues here on my detail"?
"Well sir " I replied.. I can give you answer, but it's not politically correct"
VPOTUS " No, no...yeah go ahead"
I said " Do you realize that on our working shift today, we have three former Marine Corps infantry officers, two that have been in combat? Do you know why they're not on PPD"?
VPOTUS " No...why"?
"Because they look like you and me"...
His response "Hey...I get it ...I get it"
The American people deserve better.
I hope this answers some of your questions. I'm hoping I can do a podcast with @Larry_Williams and go much more in depth.
This is what I suspect surely was happening.
Social media can so easily twist fiction into perceived fact.
I’ve wondered if there was simply also a very brief pause as the counter sniper was trying to get word on if that was a good guy or bad guy. Or simply find the guy.
Yes, there were important breakdowns somewhere. But also marvel at the speed and efficiency at which so many of these folks work.
He got shotWhy were his shoes off ?
Is there not a codeword that tells everyone to cover the detail immediately and evac? So if someone were to get an indication of a threat, they say something like, "GERONIMO, GERONIMO, GERONIMO!", followed by the nature and position of the threat?This thread is not going as planned.
Please keep your political/and-or/other thoughts to yourself.
If you have a question about USSS procedures and protocols, I will do my best to answer.
Thanks to all.
#1 This a fail for the USSS in that FPOTUS Trump was lightly wounded (barely escaping MUCH WORSE), one man in the audience lost his life, and two more were critically wounded.
#2 Ultimately, the USSS did accomplish the mission of safely covering and evacuating FPOTUS Trump AND neutralizing the threat (sniper). Very close to LOSING the game.
There will be a thorough review and investigation, and someone is very likely to lose their job(s) at the USSS.
First time since March 30, 1981 that shots were fired at a current POTUS or FPOTUS...43 years is a long time, and that didn't happen by accident. "Not on my watch"...we were known to say.
How did this 20 year old psychotic get through the outer security perimeter AND get to the roof of the building... SO VERY close to FPOTUS Trump's stage? I've no clue.
The inherent problem with large outdoor venues like this (I've worked HUNDREDS of them) is just that....they are LARGE OUTDOOR venues that are nearly impossible 100% safely secure.
Add to the fact that most of the "security posts" held on the outer perimeter are held by either local or state law enforcement, that have little to no direct communications with the USSS shift agents or tactical units. You will see "comms" or lack thereof mentioned again.
The USSS is so lightly staffed (3,000 or so agents world wide) that they can't perform their mission without help from local, state and other federal law enforcement agencies. Add to the fact that this was ANOTHER campaign stop in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania, and you have a recipe for disaster.
To illustrate, I know on one of FPOTUS Trump's recent visits to South Carolina...SCDNR guys held outer perimeter posts...no disrespect, but you can see where I'm going with this
When the Presidential Protective Division (PPD) sends out advance teams...they come from The White House. Agents that are permanently assigned to PPD for up to 6 years .
Agents conducting site advances on the "campaign" for FPOTUS Trump might have less than a year on the job, or be so long in the tooth that they just go through the motions. Suffice to say that it's probably not the best product...and that might very well be what we witnessed yesterday.
We also knew as USSS agents, that if someone is willing to die in order to assassinate the POTUS or VPOTUS, it would be very difficult to stop.
Countersniper (CS) teams: 2 man elements staffed by USSS Uniformed Division technicians (not USSS GS-1811 special agents). I worked with the USSS CS teams for years. Extremely professional and detail oriented. Some of the best snipers in the world (many with military backgrounds) . As you can imagine, they have a tendency to operate on their own, so "comms" between USSS agents and USSS CS could certainly be improved.
I haven't listened to ANY of the theories spewed by so called "experts" from the FBI or other retired USSS agents, because almost none of them have the experience level or expertise that I possess. True.
Breaking it down to the easiest of terms...
A) Massive security breach of the outer perimeter. Unacceptable.
B) There is always a CS response team (comprised of 2 USSS special agents) that are in direct communication with the CS teams (Call sign Hercules). Certainly a critical breakdown in communications there. Appears that by the time CS spotted the sniper, it was way too late to have agents respond to the roof...which is their only mission.
C) The shift agents around FPOTUS Trump did a GREAT job in FIRST covering and THEN evacuating the FPOTUS. CAT (call sign Hawkeye) also responded in seconds form their staging area (out of public view but very close by). CAT is the highly trained and heavily armed tactical unit that provides support to the shift, and also responds to sniper fire, multiple attackers, RPGs, etc. Top 1% of the USSS....which leads me to this...
There have been discussions and comments on this site about the appearance and quality of certain USSS agents that were protecting FPOTUS Trump.
This is not a new problem for the USSS. I saw it almost 30 years ago on PPD. DEI was alive and well in the USSS even then, and we all paid the price. I was passed over for promotions and positions while others (that possessed different traits than I ) were moved up the ladder.
I persevered and won out in the end...but anyone with 1 eye can see that the USSS has some issues to deal with. Not saying that this was the cause of the catastrophe yesterday....but it doesn't help.
I had a conversation with then Vice President Biden in his office on Air Force II.
He asked me "Billy, why is the President's detail having all of these problems, and we don't have any issues here on my detail"?
"Well sir " I replied.. I can give you answer, but it's not po
The American people deserve better.
I hope this answers some of your questions. I'm hoping I can do a podcast with @Larry_Williams and go much more in depth.
Truly long distance snipers... that would've had to shoot through that first building to hit him? I mean, maybe there are taller buildings much further back, but from the limited photos I've seen it would've been dang hard to have a shot on him through that first building if you were far behind itSeems likely to me that those buildings were supposed to be secured by local LE or or another unit, and they were likely scanning for the truly long distant sniper ththreats.
I think they were in the stands underneath the screen that was stage rightHas it been discussed where the man who lost his life and the two injured citizens were located in the crowd?
Appreciate the insight @24TIGER#1 This a fail for the USSS in that FPOTUS Trump was lightly wounded (barely escaping MUCH WORSE), one man in the audience lost his life, and two more were critically wounded.
#2 Ultimately, the USSS did accomplish the mission of safely covering and evacuating FPOTUS Trump AND neutralizing the threat (sniper). Very close to LOSING the game.
There will be a thorough review and investigation, and someone is very likely to lose their job(s) at the USSS.
First time since March 30, 1981 that shots were fired at a current POTUS or FPOTUS...43 years is a long time, and that didn't happen by accident. "Not on my watch"...we were known to say.
How did this 20 year old psychotic get through the outer security perimeter AND get to the roof of the building... SO VERY close to FPOTUS Trump's stage? I've no clue.
The inherent problem with large outdoor venues like this (I've worked HUNDREDS of them) is just that....they are LARGE OUTDOOR venues that are nearly impossible 100% safely secure.
Add to the fact that most of the "security posts" held on the outer perimeter are held by either local or state law enforcement, that have little to no direct communications with the USSS shift agents or tactical units. You will see "comms" or lack thereof mentioned again.
The USSS is so lightly staffed (3,000 or so agents world wide) that they can't perform their mission without help from local, state and other federal law enforcement agencies. Add to the fact that this was ANOTHER campaign stop in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania, and you have a recipe for disaster.
To illustrate, I know on one of FPOTUS Trump's recent visits to South Carolina...SCDNR guys held outer perimeter posts...no disrespect, but you can see where I'm going with this
When the Presidential Protective Division (PPD) sends out advance teams...they come from The White House. Agents that are permanently assigned to PPD for up to 6 years .
Agents conducting site advances on the "campaign" for FPOTUS Trump might have less than a year on the job, or be so long in the tooth that they just go through the motions. Suffice to say that it's probably not the best product...and that might very well be what we witnessed yesterday.
We also knew as USSS agents, that if someone is willing to die in order to assassinate the POTUS or VPOTUS, it would be very difficult to stop.
Countersniper (CS) teams: 2 man elements staffed by USSS Uniformed Division technicians (not USSS GS-1811 special agents). I worked with the USSS CS teams for years. Extremely professional and detail oriented. Some of the best snipers in the world (many with military backgrounds) . As you can imagine, they have a tendency to operate on their own, so "comms" between USSS agents and USSS CS could certainly be improved.
I haven't listened to ANY of the theories spewed by so called "experts" from the FBI or other retired USSS agents, because almost none of them have the experience level or expertise that I possess. True.
Breaking it down to the easiest of terms...
A) Massive security breach of the outer perimeter. Unacceptable.
B) There is always a CS response team (comprised of 2 USSS special agents) that are in direct communication with the CS teams (Call sign Hercules). Certainly a critical breakdown in communications there. Appears that by the time CS spotted the sniper, it was way too late to have agents respond to the roof...which is their only mission.
C) The shift agents around FPOTUS Trump did a GREAT job in FIRST covering and THEN evacuating the FPOTUS. CAT (call sign Hawkeye) also responded in seconds form their staging area (out of public view but very close by). CAT is the highly trained and heavily armed tactical unit that provides support to the shift, and also responds to sniper fire, multiple attackers, RPGs, etc. Top 1% of the USSS....which leads me to this...
There have been discussions and comments on this site about the appearance and quality of certain USSS agents that were protecting FPOTUS Trump.
This is not a new problem for the USSS. I saw it almost 30 years ago on PPD. DEI was alive and well in the USSS even then, and we all paid the price. I was passed over for promotions and positions while others (that possessed different traits than I ) were moved up the ladder.
I persevered and won out in the end...but anyone with 1 eye can see that the USSS has some issues to deal with. Not saying that this was the cause of the catastrophe yesterday....but it doesn't help.
I had a conversation with then Vice President Biden in his office on Air Force II.
He asked me "Billy, why is the President's detail having all of these problems, and we don't have any issues here on my detail"?
"Well sir " I replied.. I can give you answer, but it's not politically correct"
VPOTUS " No, no...yeah go ahead"
I said " Do you realize that on our working shift today, we have three former Marine Corps infantry officers, two that have been in combat? Do you know why they're not on PPD"?
VPOTUS " No...why"?
"Because they look like you and me"...
His response "Hey...I get it ...I get it"
The American people deserve better.
I hope this answers some of your questions. I'm hoping I can do a podcast with @Larry_Williams and go much more in depth.
#1 This a fail for the USSS in that FPOTUS Trump was lightly wounded (barely escaping MUCH WORSE), one man in the audience lost his life, and two more were critically wounded.
#2 Ultimately, the USSS did accomplish the mission of safely covering and evacuating FPOTUS Trump AND neutralizing the threat (sniper). Very close to LOSING the game.
There will be a thorough review and investigation, and someone is very likely to lose their job(s) at the USSS.
First time since March 30, 1981 that shots were fired at a current POTUS or FPOTUS...43 years is a long time, and that didn't happen by accident. "Not on my watch"...we were known to say.
How did this 20 year old psychotic get through the outer security perimeter AND get to the roof of the building... SO VERY close to FPOTUS Trump's stage? I've no clue.
The inherent problem with large outdoor venues like this (I've worked HUNDREDS of them) is just that....they are LARGE OUTDOOR venues that are nearly impossible 100% safely secure.
Add to the fact that most of the "security posts" held on the outer perimeter are held by either local or state law enforcement, that have little to no direct communications with the USSS shift agents or tactical units. You will see "comms" or lack thereof mentioned again.
The USSS is so lightly staffed (3,000 or so agents world wide) that they can't perform their mission without help from local, state and other federal law enforcement agencies. Add to the fact that this was ANOTHER campaign stop in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania, and you have a recipe for disaster.
To illustrate, I know on one of FPOTUS Trump's recent visits to South Carolina...SCDNR guys held outer perimeter posts...no disrespect, but you can see where I'm going with this
When the Presidential Protective Division (PPD) sends out advance teams...they come from The White House. Agents that are permanently assigned to PPD for up to 6 years .
Agents conducting site advances on the "campaign" for FPOTUS Trump might have less than a year on the job, or be so long in the tooth that they just go through the motions. Suffice to say that it's probably not the best product...and that might very well be what we witnessed yesterday.
We also knew as USSS agents, that if someone is willing to die in order to assassinate the POTUS or VPOTUS, it would be very difficult to stop.
Countersniper (CS) teams: 2 man elements staffed by USSS Uniformed Division technicians (not USSS GS-1811 special agents). I worked with the USSS CS teams for years. Extremely professional and detail oriented. Some of the best snipers in the world (many with military backgrounds) . As you can imagine, they have a tendency to operate on their own, so "comms" between USSS agents and USSS CS could certainly be improved.
I haven't listened to ANY of the theories spewed by so called "experts" from the FBI or other retired USSS agents, because almost none of them have the experience level or expertise that I possess. True.
Breaking it down to the easiest of terms...
A) Massive security breach of the outer perimeter. Unacceptable.
B) There is always a CS response team (comprised of 2 USSS special agents) that are in direct communication with the CS teams (Call sign Hercules). Certainly a critical breakdown in communications there. Appears that by the time CS spotted the sniper, it was way too late to have agents respond to the roof...which is their only mission.
C) The shift agents around FPOTUS Trump did a GREAT job in FIRST covering and THEN evacuating the FPOTUS. CAT (call sign Hawkeye) also responded in seconds form their staging area (out of public view but very close by). CAT is the highly trained and heavily armed tactical unit that provides support to the shift, and also responds to sniper fire, multiple attackers, RPGs, etc. Top 1% of the USSS....which leads me to this...
There have been discussions and comments on this site about the appearance and quality of certain USSS agents that were protecting FPOTUS Trump.
This is not a new problem for the USSS. I saw it almost 30 years ago on PPD. DEI was alive and well in the USSS even then, and we all paid the price. I was passed over for promotions and positions while others (that possessed different traits than I ) were moved up the ladder.
I persevered and won out in the end...but anyone with 1 eye can see that the USSS has some issues to deal with. Not saying that this was the cause of the catastrophe yesterday....but it doesn't help.
I had a conversation with then Vice President Biden in his office on Air Force II.
He asked me "Billy, why is the President's detail having all of these problems, and we don't have any issues here on my detail"?
"Well sir " I replied.. I can give you answer, but it's not politically correct"
VPOTUS " No, no...yeah go ahead"
I said " Do you realize that on our working shift today, we have three former Marine Corps infantry officers, two that have been in combat? Do you know why they're not on PPD"?
VPOTUS " No...why"?
"Because they look like you and me"...
His response "Hey...I get it ...I get it"
The American people deserve better.
I hope this answers some of your questions. I'm hoping I can do a podcast with @Larry_Williams and go much more in depth.
The fact that you have to say this in 2024 is either 1 of 2 things, I'm getting really old and the new age of the internet has forgotten what 4chan is, or people are just being silly geese.Bro do not trust a 4chan screenshot
Thank you for the super indepth response. I would greatly look forward to listening to that podcast.#1 This a fail for the USSS in that FPOTUS Trump was lightly wounded (barely escaping MUCH WORSE), one man in the audience lost his life, and two more were critically wounded.
#2 Ultimately, the USSS did accomplish the mission of safely covering and evacuating FPOTUS Trump AND neutralizing the threat (sniper). Very close to LOSING the game.
There will be a thorough review and investigation, and someone is very likely to lose their job(s) at the USSS.
First time since March 30, 1981 that shots were fired at a current POTUS or FPOTUS...43 years is a long time, and that didn't happen by accident. "Not on my watch"...we were known to say.
How did this 20 year old psychotic get through the outer security perimeter AND get to the roof of the building... SO VERY close to FPOTUS Trump's stage? I've no clue.
The inherent problem with large outdoor venues like this (I've worked HUNDREDS of them) is just that....they are LARGE OUTDOOR venues that are nearly impossible 100% safely secure.
Add to the fact that most of the "security posts" held on the outer perimeter are held by either local or state law enforcement, that have little to no direct communications with the USSS shift agents or tactical units. You will see "comms" or lack thereof mentioned again.
The USSS is so lightly staffed (3,000 or so agents world wide) that they can't perform their mission without help from local, state and other federal law enforcement agencies. Add to the fact that this was ANOTHER campaign stop in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania, and you have a recipe for disaster.
To illustrate, I know on one of FPOTUS Trump's recent visits to South Carolina...SCDNR guys held outer perimeter posts...no disrespect, but you can see where I'm going with this
When the Presidential Protective Division (PPD) sends out advance teams...they come from The White House. Agents that are permanently assigned to PPD for up to 6 years .
Agents conducting site advances on the "campaign" for FPOTUS Trump might have less than a year on the job, or be so long in the tooth that they just go through the motions. Suffice to say that it's probably not the best product...and that might very well be what we witnessed yesterday.
We also knew as USSS agents, that if someone is willing to die in order to assassinate the POTUS or VPOTUS, it would be very difficult to stop.
Countersniper (CS) teams: 2 man elements staffed by USSS Uniformed Division technicians (not USSS GS-1811 special agents). I worked with the USSS CS teams for years. Extremely professional and detail oriented. Some of the best snipers in the world (many with military backgrounds) . As you can imagine, they have a tendency to operate on their own, so "comms" between USSS agents and USSS CS could certainly be improved.
I haven't listened to ANY of the theories spewed by so called "experts" from the FBI or other retired USSS agents, because almost none of them have the experience level or expertise that I possess. True.
Breaking it down to the easiest of terms...
A) Massive security breach of the outer perimeter. Unacceptable.
B) There is always a CS response team (comprised of 2 USSS special agents) that are in direct communication with the CS teams (Call sign Hercules). Certainly a critical breakdown in communications there. Appears that by the time CS spotted the sniper, it was way too late to have agents respond to the roof...which is their only mission.
C) The shift agents around FPOTUS Trump did a GREAT job in FIRST covering and THEN evacuating the FPOTUS. CAT (call sign Hawkeye) also responded in seconds form their staging area (out of public view but very close by). CAT is the highly trained and heavily armed tactical unit that provides support to the shift, and also responds to sniper fire, multiple attackers, RPGs, etc. Top 1% of the USSS....which leads me to this...
There have been discussions and comments on this site about the appearance and quality of certain USSS agents that were protecting FPOTUS Trump.
This is not a new problem for the USSS. I saw it almost 30 years ago on PPD. DEI was alive and well in the USSS even then, and we all paid the price. I was passed over for promotions and positions while others (that possessed different traits than I ) were moved up the ladder.
I persevered and won out in the end...but anyone with 1 eye can see that the USSS has some issues to deal with. Not saying that this was the cause of the catastrophe yesterday....but it doesn't help.
I had a conversation with then Vice President Biden in his office on Air Force II.
He asked me "Billy, why is the President's detail having all of these problems, and we don't have any issues here on my detail"?
"Well sir " I replied.. I can give you answer, but it's not politically correct"
VPOTUS " No, no...yeah go ahead"
I said " Do you realize that on our working shift today, we have three former Marine Corps infantry officers, two that have been in combat? Do you know why they're not on PPD"?
VPOTUS " No...why"?
"Because they look like you and me"...
His response "Hey...I get it ...I get it"
The American people deserve better.
I hope this answers some of your questions. I'm hoping I can do a podcast with @Larry_Williams and go much more in depth.
Fair pointCan’t argue with that they’ve played a part in it. But I don’t see any of them blatantly fabricating images though. You can’t exactly put those on the same level.