During his testimony before Congress, Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and conservative commentator, sharply criticized the Secret Service, alleging a decline in the agency’s effectiveness and preparedness. Bongino argued that the agency is in a worse state now than before the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. He expressed concerns that under current leadership, the Secret Service is failing to prioritize proper security measures, focusing instead on less critical issues like the appearance of agents, which he found to be misguided and trivial The Daily Signal andTwitchy
Bongino predicted another potential security “incident,” stressing that the Secret Service’s leadership has not improved under the new director, Ronald Rowe. He claimed that the agency continues to mishandle its responsibilities, citing examples where they ignored local law enforcement offers for better communication and surveillance during Trump’s events The Daily Signal
Former Secret Service agent and conservative commentator Dan Bongino recently criticized his former agency during a congressional hearing, highlighting its failure to adopt modern technology and practices. The hearing was part of a bipartisan investigation by the U.S. House into the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The incident occurred on July 13th at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a 20-year-old gunman managed to position himself on a rooftop just hundreds of yards away from where Trump was speaking.
I am very happy to hear that Dan will be working with Pres Trump!🇺🇲
“An Apocalyptic Security Failure” – Dan Bongino Testifies on Secret Service Failures https://t.co/ukcaD0J8dd— Catherine Canavan (@Canavan4Gansett) August 27, 2024
During his testimony, Bongino accused the Secret Service leadership of relying on outdated technology and lacking the institutional courage needed to protect presidents and presidential candidates effectively. He remarked, “The joke in the Secret Service, which is sadly no longer funny, is they rely on yesterday’s technology tomorrow.” He pointed out several inefficiencies, such as outdated computer systems that wasted agents’ time, delayed implementation of basic technology like slings, and a lack of modern weaponry and surveillance tools.
Bongino also criticized the absence of drone surveillance at the rally, which could have helped monitor the crowd and identify potential threats. He noted that a basic drone could have been purchased for less than $40 on Amazon, underscoring the agency’s failure to use affordable and accessible technology to enhance security.
Robert Rowe, the acting director of the Secret Service, defended the agency’s performance, stating that they are expected to “do more with less.” However, Bongino dismissed this notion, arguing that the agency’s budget has increased significantly over the past decade, from $2.34 billion in 2014 to $3.62 billion in 2024, yet it continues to deliver less in terms of security and efficiency. He emphasized that the agency’s approach of “more with less” is unrealistic, stating, “There isn’t more with less, there is less with less.”
Bongino also pointed out that the Secret Service’s priorities were misplaced. He argued that while the agency employs talented agents capable of effective protection, their focus should not be on low-level tasks, such as investigating counterfeit notes, when more pressing security threats are present.
Reflecting on the Butler rally incident, Bongino questioned how Secret Service counter-snipers failed to notice the gunman, who was visible even through a basic cell phone camera. He expressed frustration over the agency’s explanations, accusing them of asking Americans to “believe the implausible” about their inability to prevent the attack.
Dan Bongino Addresses Congress On Trump Assassination Attempt: The Apocalyptic Failure Of The Secret Service https://t.co/zConIXgDE0
— Black Shwarma (@TheSteve12) August 27, 2024
Bongino, who served in the Secret Service from 1999 to 2011 and later ran for Congress unsuccessfully, has since become a prominent conservative commentator. He uses his platform to discuss government security issues and other current events from a conservative perspective. His recent comments highlight ongoing concerns about the Secret Service’s readiness and ability to adapt to evolving threats in protecting national leaders.
Key Points:
i. Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent, criticized the agency for using outdated technology and failing to protect former President Trump during an assassination attempt.
ii. Bongino highlighted the agency’s inefficiencies, such as old computer systems, outdated weaponry, and the absence of drone surveillance.
iii. Despite an increased budget, Bongino argued that the Secret Service’s “more with less” approach is not effective and fails to deliver adequate security.
iv. Bongino called for a shift in the agency’s focus away from low-level tasks to more critical security measures.
v. The commentary reflects broader concerns about the Secret Service’s ability to modernize and effectively protect high-profile figures.
Charles William III – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
