Communications Breakdown Led to Security Lapse in Trump Assassination Attempt

The U.S. Secret Service's acting director revealed on Friday that Pennsylvania local police had warned of a man with a gun on a roof before the July 13 assassination attempt on Donald Trump. However, the warning did not reach Secret Service agents in time.

According to Acting Director Ronald Rowe, the lapse was due to different communication channels used by local authorities and Secret Service agents. Rowe noted that within the final 30 seconds before the shooter opened fire, there were radio transmissions on a local channel unknown to the Secret Service.

Human errors complicated the situation as a local police officer trying to reach the rooftop assailant fell to the ground just moments before the gunman began shooting. The failed communication and the resulting shooting led to the resignation of former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle under bipartisan pressure from Congress.

(With inputs from agencies.)