US secret service agents SUSPENDED after Donald Trump shooting failures
Donald Trump
REUTERS
Multiple Secret Service agents have been put on leave after being accused of failing to protect Donald Trump during an assassination attempt last month.
A number of staff were suspended as the federal law enforcement agency continues with its internal investigation after the July 13 shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Staff who failed to cover the roof where shooter Thomas Matthew Cooks positioned himself before killing two attendees have been identified as among those suspended.
Secret Service shot the 20-year-old gunman dead after he managed to fire eight shots at the ex-President and his supporters.
Donald Trump
REUTERS
Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Secret Service, stressed the agency's "assurance review is progressing, and we are examining the processes, procedures and factors that led to this operational failure".
He also claimed that the Secret Service "holds our personnel to the highest professional standards, and any identified and substantiated violations of policy will be investigated by the Office of Professional Responsibility for potential disciplinary action".
Former Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle quit after receiving criticism for her agency's handling of the assassination attempt.
The 53-year-old initially refused to resign, claiming she was the best-qualified person for the role.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Donald Trump mouths 'fight' to crowd after being shot in the earGETTY IMAGES/TRUMP CAMPAIGN OFFICE/HANDOUTHowever, Cheatle came under fire during her appearance at the House of Representatives Oversight Committee last month and subsequently tendered her resignation.
Trump held his first outdoor rally since the assassination attempt on Wednesday.
The 45th President spoke behind bulletproof glass in North Carolina at an event focused on national security.
Storage containers were stacked around the perimeter to create additional walls and block sight lines.
Donald Trump has launched attacks on Harris ReutersSnipers were positioned on roofs at the venue, where old aircraft were sitting behind the podium and a large American flag was suspended from cranes.
However, Trump left the bulletproof glass cover as he entered the crowd to check on a supporter who fainted in the Tar Heel State.
The 45th President will return to the campaign trail later today to shore up support in the swing state of Arizona.
Ronald Lee Syvrud, 66, was arrested after making death threats against Trump on social media for the past fortnight.