Secret Service Faces Review As Agency Fails To Learn Lessons From Butler

By Hugh CameronU.S. News ReporterShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Sean Curran was the hero of Butler after he leapt to protect President Donald Trump during the assassination attempt at the Pennsylvania rally in July 2024. Now, as head of the Secret Service, he is facing White House scrutiny over whether the agency has fully learned the lessons of that incident in protecting the president.The administration has praised the work of the agency following Saturday’s shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, during which an armed individual attempted to enter the ballroom, forcing attendees—including President Trump—to be evacuated. The suspect—31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen—has been charged in connection with an alleged attempt to assassinate the president, as well as weapons and assault-related offenses.The White House will be launching a review of protocols in the wake of the incident, which saw one federal agent injured and has raised concerns over whether the agency is prepared for what is set to be a busy year of public appearances for the president and his administration.A Secret Service spokesperson told Newsweek that while existing security protocols "proved effective," the agency expects "enhancements" to be enacted "at every level."...Why the Review Matters NowTrump is set to appear at a number of events through the remainder of 2026, including those related to the U.S.-co-hosted FIFA World Cup and celebrations around the country’s 250th anniversary, meaning concerns over the preparedness of his security team were already high before Saturday’s suspected assassination attempt—the third targeting Trump within two years.The head of the Secret Service resigned after the Butler assassination attempt amid a backlash over how a gunman was in that case able to wound the president. Trump later appointed Curran as the agency’s director in January of last year, while praising “his fearless courage when he risked his own life to help save mine from an assassin's bullet in Butler, Pennsylvania.”However, as the head of the agency, Curran may now have to answer questions about potential security shortcomings at Saturday’s event, and whether the service is fully prepared to protect the president.What Is Being ReviewedShortly after being escorted from the ballroom on Saturday night, Trump hailed the “fantastic job” carried out by Secret Service and law enforcement, saying both “acted quickly and bravely” to prevent the suspect from reaching the room where the dinner was taking place.During an impromptu press conference that evening, Trump was asked whether he had any concerns about the capabilities of his security team, but he said he was “very impressed by Secret Service.”Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn said that the incident demonstrated the “strength of our layered security posture.”However, some former agents and officials have criticized the response of Secret Service.“This should’ve been the most secure perimeter in the world. And the fact that the guy made it through the mags [magnetometers] underscores the epic failure of the U.S. Secret Service in protecting the president,” said one anonymous source, described as “familiar with presidential security protocols,” speaking to RealClearPolitics.Former Secret Service Agent Richard Starapoli told U.K. newspaper The Times that the…

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