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Proposed Reforms for Secret Service Following Assassination Attempt

The recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has sparked significant legislative activity on Capitol Hill, as lawmakers respond to the security breaches exposed by the incident. Two new bills have been introduced that aim to implement major reforms within the Secret Service.

Representative Ritchie Torres from New York has put forth the Focus on Protection and the AR-15 Perimeter Security Enhancement acts. These legislative measures are a direct response to the tragic events of July 13, during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a shooting resulted in the death of one individual and left two others critically injured. The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was also killed in the incident.

The Focus on Protection Act intends to transfer the Secret Service’s authority to investigate financial crimes to the Treasury Department. This move would mark a significant shift for the agency, which has long been involved in such investigations since its establishment in 1865. By refocusing its mission, the bill aims to enhance the Secret Service’s protective capabilities for the president, vice president, and other key figures.

Meanwhile, the AR-15 Perimeter Security Enhancement Act stipulates that the Secret Service must maintain a security perimeter no less than 500 yards in radius. This requirement is designed to encompass the effective range of firearms that could be employed in an assassination attempt. Furthermore, the legislation emphasizes the need for securing elevated positions that could provide a strategic advantage to potential assailants, which includes rooftops and balconies.

In a statement, Torres articulated the imperative nature of this legislation, highlighting the narrow escape from disaster during the Pennsylvania rally. He remarked, “If the former president had moved ever so slightly, or the shooter had been more precise in his targeting, the former president would’ve been murdered. We owe it to the American people to identify the security failures that led to the attempted assassination and avoid repeating those failures in the future.”

The Secret Service has faced mounting scrutiny following the assassination attempt. Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned on July 23 amidst intensified calls for accountability from congressional leaders. Subsequently, a bipartisan task force was established by House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to thoroughly investigate the incident.

Torres pointed out ongoing resource challenges within the Secret Service, noting that these strained resources have hindered the agency’s ability to fulfill its broad mission. Although budgetary constraints have improved recently, the agency has been grappling with difficulties in recruitment and retention due to past budget cuts dating back to 2013.

To address these challenges, Torres proposed narrowing the agency’s focus exclusively to presidential protection, arguing that the financial crime investigations it has been tasked with are outdated. He stated, “It seems to me that it should be exclusively focused on presidential protection, and we need legislation that moves financial law enforcement from the Secret Service to the Treasury Department — precisely where it belongs.”

In response to these proposed reforms, Anthony Guglielmi, Chief of Communications for the Secret Service, indicated in a communication to Government Executive that while the agency refrains from commenting on pending legislation, it values the connection between its investigative responsibilities and protective duties. He stated, “Our agents learn skills essential to our protective operations while working on criminal investigations, making our protective operations stronger.”

Currently, the Focus on Protection Act has been sent to the House Judiciary, Financial Services, and Appropriations Committees for review, while the AR-15 Perimeter Security Enhancement Act is under the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee.

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