Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley sent a letter to the acting U.S. Secret Service Director on Wednesday. He asked about whistleblower claims regarding a second assassination attempt on former President Trump. The incident occurred in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday.
The whistleblower allegedly had direct knowledge of the Secret Service’s operations at Trump’s golf course. They told Hawley’s office that there were “known vulnerabilities” in the fence line surrounding the course. These spots supposedly offer a clear view of Trump and others playing golf.
The whistleblower claimed it was standard protocol to position agents at these weak spots when Trump was on the course. However, they alleged this wasn’t done on September 15. According to Hawley, the gunman was allowed to remain near the fence for 12 hours.
Hawley explained to reporters that the Secret Service usually stations agents at vulnerable areas. These are spots where someone could have a clear line of sight from outside the course. But it seems this procedure wasn’t followed, and the perimeter wasn’t even checked.
The gunman, Ryan Routh, was arrested after being spotted near the fence. He has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and having a gun with an obliterated serial number. Authorities suggest more charges could follow.
Hawley’s letter raised concerns about whether agents even checked the course’s perimeter that day. He also questioned if drones were used to monitor the fence while Trump was golfing.
Hawley stressed that the gunman should not have been able to stay near the course undetected for so long. He pushed for answers on whether agents were stationed at vulnerable points and whether they conducted a sweep of the area.
Although Hawley is not on the Senate committee investigating the two assassination attempts on Trump, he has launched his own investigation into both incidents.