Experienced former Secret Service officer, Dan Bongino, delivered an impassioned critique of the federal security bureau for what he termed an ‘immense security lapse’ leading to the attempted assassination on ex-President Donald Trump, which took place on July 13th.
Bongino was one of the panelists at a round table discussion convened by The Heritage Foundation. Alongside him were respected Republican representatives including Eli Crane (R-AZ), Chip Roy (R-TX), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), and Cory Mills (R-FL).
He lamented the fact that such a breach could occur, leading to the unfortunate situation where an individual intent on causing harm to a former president could get alarmingly close to carrying out his deplorable intentions.
Bongino unreservedly started his speech stating: ‘Let’s be frank: This constituted a catastrophic failure in security.’ He insisted on the dire need for the itch to paint a rosier picture of what transpired or the tendency to skirt around the issue, to be side-lined.
Bongino expressed his concern that the media swiftly diverted their attention from the incident. The potential future implications of the security oversights evident in the event, he argued, merit a sustained focus.
In expressing his critique, Bongino made a clear distinction between two entities – the Secret Service as an institution and the individuals who serve its mandate daily, risking their lives for their nation. His disapproval did not extend to these brave souls.
Instead, he pinpointed systematic challenges at the core of the agency’s operations. ‘They are grappling with technological deficiencies,’ he illuminated, sharing his observation that there is an over-reliance on ‘old tech for new threats.’
Criticizing the Secret Service’s perpetuated mantra of ‘achieving more with less’, he declared its unattainability. Querying rhetorically, he expressed indignation: ‘How can you possibly label this outcome as ‘more with less’? It’s absolutely abhorrent. It’s getting nothing from less.’
Bongino highlighted the wide-ranging impacts of security lapses when it comes to the lives and safety of past, present, and future presidents. His analysis, therefore, was not merely limited to that of former President Trump but extended to the high-profile individuals that Secret Service is obligated to protect.
The overarching narrative conveyed by Bongino was one of holding the necessary entities accountable for the failure while still valuing the countless efforts of the individuals on the ground. He urged all those responsible to ensure such a situation never repeats itself, thereby upholding the trust placed upon them by the public.
His remarks spurred a lively discussion among panelists, with the Republican Congressmen echoing similar concerns around the necessity of robust security measures. They emphasized the need for cutting-edge technology and adequate resources to fulfill their charge faithfully.
The conversation signaled a shared agreement among the panelists about adopting a no-nonsense approach to evaluating and improving upon such notable events. While they took into account the risks that come with the job, they agreed there was no room for complacency or to downplay the severity of the incident.
Bongino’s sentiments were echoed by the panelists, who also expressed their understanding of the event’s seriousness and the need for due diligence to prevent such occurrences in the future. Candlelight vigils and coast-to-coast sympathy is no substitute for diligent, fool-proof strategies that can nip such heinous intentions in the bud.
There was a unanimous verdict—a grave mishap occurred, one that unveiled critical vulnerabilities. As a nation, immediate lessons must be drawn from this incident to ensure that all previous leaders, current executives, and future torchbearers of our country can carry out their terms and post-terms in safety and dignity.
In shedding light on the issue, it was apparent that more pressing than simply pointing fingers is the need to collaborate on common-sense security solutions that transcend partisan politics and focus on the responsibility we bear to protect our leaders.
Given the gravity of their role, it is imperative that country’s security forces are equipped not just with adequate, but forward-looking tools and infrastructure, to effectively mitigate potential threats. The security of the nation’s highest offices and its stalwarts ought not just to be a matter of routine, but a top-priority mandate.
.@dbongino GOES OFF at Trump assassination attempt forum:
“A 20-year-old criminal outsmarted them on a $40 drone device… that’s disgusting!”
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— Bongino Report (@BonginoReport) August 27, 2024