Outrage as Alejandro Mayorkas admits ‘failure’ by Secret Service during Donald Trump's Pennsylvania rally

Warning: This article contains some graphic information and content that may trigger some readers. Discretion is advised.

WASHINGTON, DC: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas admitted that the security at Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, was a "faliure."

He acknowledged that the gunman should not have had a clear sight of the former president.

Alejandro Mayorkas faces backlash over security failures

Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, stationed himself on a rooftop near Trump’s campaign event on Saturday evening, July 13, and fired multiple rounds before being shot down by a Secret Service sniper.

"...When I say that something like this cannot happen, we are speaking of a failure," Mayorkas said on CNN on Monday, July 15.

"We are going to analyze, through an independent review, how that occurred, why it occurred, and make recommendations and findings to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” he said, adding, “I couldn’t be clearer," The Hill reports.

In an interview with 'Good Morning America,' Mayorkas stated, "A direct line of sight like that to the former president should not occur."

"That's why President Biden directed an independent review of the incident," he added.

The Secret Service quickly surrounded Trump, protecting him and escorting him to a waiting vehicle. However, the incident has led to scrutiny over how Crooks was able to get so close.

Alejandro Mayorkas says an independent study of the event will help ensure protect others

Mayorkas noted the need for a thorough investigation into the assassination attempt and recommendation thereof to the Secret Service. 

"We have to learn everything about the assailant who, of course, the Secret Service so bravely neutralized," Mayorkas said.  

"We are going to really study the event independently and make recommendations to the Secret Service and to me, so that we can assure the safety and security of our protectees," he continued. 

"Which is one of our most vital missions in the Secret Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and across the government," he added. 

Secret Service faces backlash over dealing with Donald Trump shooter 

The Secret Service, which relied heavily on local police for security, has faced criticism for the lapses that allowed Crooks to access the rooftop of a manufacturing plant just 130 yards from the stage, New York Post noted. 

Former Representative Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), who investigated Secret Service shortcomings in 2015, told the Washington Post, "This was a catastrophic failure. It should never have been a remote possibility."

Even former Secret Service agents expressed shock at the incident. "How the f**k did he get a gun that close?" one former agent told the Post.

Another former agent added, "This is bad, just terrible. When the incident occurred, I was baffled when I heard the distance of the shot. … How could that happen?"

Internet outraged over the lapse in Donald Trump's security 

Internet users did not hold back in expressing their outrage on how the Secret Service handled the incident. Some recommended Mayorkas to be impeached. 

"Not good enough. Many people need to be fired," wrote one person on X.

Another commented, "Resign in disgrace." Others mocked Mayorkas, saying, "This guy is in charge of our southern border lol."

One user suggested, "Mayorkas should be impeached," another added, "He's quite useless."

"Well, it did. You’re responsible," wrote one person noting that Trump came in the direct line of fire. Another simply wrote it was a "shocker."

One suggested, "Mayorkas should be impeached in Trump's second term."

"A guy lost his life. This was totally avoidable. Amateurs," wrote another.

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.