Secret Service Briefing on the Shooter Before Donald Trump's Speech

Briefing Overview

• A briefing was held by the Secret Service with Senators.
• The focus was on the timeline and actions of the Secret Service leading up to the shooting incident.
• Information was provided by Senator John Barrasso and sources familiar with the meeting.

Key Details from the Briefing

Identification of the Suspicious Individual

• The Secret Service identified a suspicious individual due to a rangefinder and a backpack.
• This happened more than an hour before the shooting.

Escalation to a Threat

• Approximately 10 minutes before President Trump was to take the stage, the individual was reclassified from suspicious to a threat.
• Despite this reclassification, President Trump was allowed to take the stage.

Communication and Actions During the Incident

• A Secret Service agent was on the phone with local and state police about the threat during the shooting.
• This raises significant concerns about procedural failures and the decision-making process.

Reactions and Calls for Accountability

• GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, along with several Senators, called for the immediate resignation of the Secret Service Director.

Ongoing Investigations and Unanswered Questions

• The motive of the shooter remains unknown as authorities are unable to access the shooter's phone due to encryption.
• The inability to determine a motive adds to the concerns around the incident and the response by the Secret Service.

Conclusion

• The timeline and the actions taken by the Secret Service are deeply troubling to the Senators and raise many questions about the safety protocols in place.