26 July 2024

We asked the question on July 14: "Where Were the Drones?"

At the time, there was no information, as the U.S. Secret Service was dealing with the aftermath of Thomas Matthew Crooks' assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

Then, it was revealed that Crooks used a drone at the rally site: Secret Service Had No Drones in the Air But Shooter Did.

It has now come to light that the U.S. Secret Service had surveillance drones available, but decided not to deploy them.

Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss) revealed, after a briefing of elected officials regarding the July 13 rally, that, "The Secret Service was responsible for the operational plan, and they made the decision to not only not fly drones that day, but to not station law enforcement on top of a water tower. So, clearly another failure that they did not have eyes in the skies that day—either in the form of drones or in the form of having someone in an elevated position that would have been able to look down and cover the rally site."

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned on Tuesday, July 23, after enduring bipartisan bipartisan criticism for security at the rally.

Guest also stated the Secret Service budget was increased to more than $3 billion by Congress: "Congress increased the budget of the Secret Service knowing it was a presidential year, knowing that they would need additional resources, additional personnel. We actually gave them more resources than they requested to try to make sure they would be prepared for the protective details they would have to provide to both presidential and vice-presidential candidates."  

The FBI is currently investigating the matter.

"Since the day of the attack, the FBI has been consistent and clear that the shooting was an attempted assassination of former President Trump which resulted in his injury, as well as the death of a heroic father and the injuries of several other victims," the FBI said in a statement. "FBI Director Wray provided extensive congressional testimony on Wednesday about the FBI’s investigation. This was a heinous attack and the FBI is devoting enormous resources to learn everything possible about the shooter and what led to his act of violence. The FBI’s Shooting Reconstruction Team continues to examine evidence from the scene, including bullet fragments, and the investigation remains ongoing."