Outrage as Jason Chaffetz calls Donald Trump’s assassination attempt ‘catastrophic failure’ of Secret Service
Trigger Warning: This article contains some graphic information and content that may trigger some readers. Discretion is advised.
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Fox News contributor and ex-congressman Jason Chaffetz criticized the Secret Service following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 13.
During the rally, gunshots were fired, and the dramatic moment was caught live on numerous cameras as a bullet narrowly missed Trump’s head, grazing his ear. Trump later detailed the incident in a post on Truth Social.
Donald Trump expresses gratitude while Jason Chaffetz criticises US Secret Service
The incident at the Pennsylvania rally claimed the life of one rally-goer and left two others critically injured. The suspected shooter has been reportedly killed, according to ABC News.
In his message, Donald Trump expressed gratitude to the Secret Service. He wrote on Truth Social, "I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania."
"Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured."
On Fox News, contributor and former congressman Jason Chaffetz commended the agents who protected the former President, calling them heroes. However, Chaffetz, a prominent critic of the agency, sharply criticized the Secret Service as an organization for allowing the situation to come so close to tragedy in the first place.
“This is a catastrophic failure of the United States Secret Service,” he said, according to Mediate, adding, “The men and women who jumped on the former President got in between him and a would-be shooter, they’re heroes.”
“But if there was a person with a gun within proximity to take down the President of the United States, those people have got to be held accountable,” Chaffetz continued.
“They should be fired!”
“There is no reason that a gun should be within close proximity that can shoot a former president of the United States. That’s why we have the Secret Service. And they failed us today,” he concluded. “They failed us.”
Former President Barack Obama quickly addressed the shooting shortly after it occurred through a statement provided to Mediate, while President Joe Biden commented on the incident during his remarks on July 13 and later issued an official statement.
Jason Chaffetz's Secret Service criticism sparks backlash
Fox News contributor Jason Chaffetz was blasted online for his criticism of the US Secret Service.
One viewer said, "What goes around comes around."
Another viewer said, "In 2003, Chaffetz applied to be an agent in the United States Secret Service but was not accepted because "better qualified applicants existed".
One viewer noted, "Can't the billionaire pay for decent security or does he have to loaf off the taxpayers?"
A follower observed, "This is his main takeaway from the day's events?"
One comment read, "Fox News: “They’re heroes!!!” Also Fox News: “They Failed Us!!!”
Another comment read, "MAGAs and their perpetual fcking victimhood..."
"I feel bad for those poor secret service agents who had to put their lives on the line to protect OrangeHitler," explained one person.
This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
