The devastating shooting at former President Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania rally has put the spotlight on the Secret Service’s preparedness and actions during dangerous events. As former President Donald Trump speaks, a shot nearly took his life, which raised concerns about political violence, among other problems. Even Jill Biden expressed concern by calling former first lady Melania Trump.

However, the FBI, Justice Department, and Google seem to be trying to diminish the significance, raising eyebrows with Trump supporters. Many people on Twitter think the FBI and Secret Service participated in the “apparent” assassination attempt for former president Donald Trump.

Considering all the criticism and questions regarding the event, the family of the shooting victim and former President Trump himself are contemplating legal action against the Secret Service. Is it possible to sue over the wrongful death and injuries resulting from this assassination attempt? 

Professor Joe Siracusa, Curtin University’s Dean of Global Futures, described the shooting as a “catastrophic failure” of the agency responsible for protecting high-profile people, such as the Republican presidential candidate. On the precipice of the Republican National Convention, Former President Trump’s campaign rally led to devastating consequences.

A would-be assassin could fire up to eight shots from a specific point. This raised questions about how prepared the Secret Service was to protect the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

“There have been several requests to increase the security footprint of Donald Trump’s residences and the body itself.” Dan Bongino, a pro-Trump commentator and former Secret Service Agent, mentioned this.

Visual proof and witnesses have little to quell the public’s concern. Social media has a lot to say, with a video showing Secret Service agents struggling to holster their weapons when candidate former President Donald Trump was being scored to safety.

According to different sources from law enforcement officials, the decision to move Trump off the side of the stage instead of the rear led to many dangers. This could have led him to be exposed to a second shooter at the Trump rally.

President Joe Biden expressed his concerns after the rally. Although there were a few conspiracy theories claiming that President Biden was the one behind the attack, he was quick to wish Trump a speedy recovery after the campaign rally.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also released a statement thanking God for Trump’s safety.

– House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced their intention to call Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle for a hearing on July 22.

– Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) claimed that the Trump camp requested better security measures, which were denied.

– Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi refuted allegations that extra security resources were requested/denied.

Guglielmi emphasized that the agency had already improved protective measures because of the increasing number of campaign rallies. He mentioned that they had added more resources, capabilities, and technologies.

The controversy surrounding the security arrangements has also started a debate about the Secret Service’s efficiency and preparedness for these situations.

Critics continue to talk about the agency’s response time and overall strategies, demanding an explanation for the evident security breaches that allowed a gunman to get dangerously close to former President Donald Trump. 

“Americans deserve to know the truth,” declared House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) shortly after the incident. The pressure on Director Cheatle intensifies as details emerge about past security lapses and the ongoing investigation led by law enforcement, including the FBI. 

Not only has this sparked political fallout, but it has also initiated discussions about the Secret Service’s hiring practices and the influence of the DEI program. Some argue that the focus on diversity might have inadvertently lowered the agency’s operational standards, a point underlined by Congressman Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) in his critique on social media. 

As the House Oversight Committee prepares to delve into these issues during the upcoming hearing, the Secret Service faces a pivotal moment to restore confidence in its ability to protect the nation’s leaders.

The committee’s investigation will likely reveal critical findings that could reshape the future of presidential security measures in the country. It will also examine the security lapses and response times crucial to ensuring the safety of the nation’s leaders. 

Timeline of Different Events and Responses

– Security Response in Butler, PA Rally. Republican Candidate Donald Trump was shot at a rally; a bullet pierced his ear. The Secret Service evacuated former President Donald Trump but faced delays.

– Ronald Reagan Assassination Attempt in 1981; Reagan was shot outside a hotel in Washington, D.C. The Secret Service immediately subdued the gunman.

– Kennedy Assassination in 1963; JFK was shot during a motorcade in Dallas. The Secret Service was unable to prevent the assassination.

– Attempted Attack on George H.W. Bush, 1993; the plot was foiled before it could be carried out. The Secret Service was involved in thwarting the plot.

– George W. Bush Assassination Attempt 2005: A man threw a grenade during a rally in Georgia. The Secret Service neutralized the threat without injury.

Comparing the recent incident at Butler, PA, to previous assassination attempts highlights a troubling pattern of security lapses.

The Secret Service faced criticism for delays in evacuating former President Donald Trump, similar to the unfortunate inability to prevent President Kennedy’s assassination in 1963.

Conversely, the swift actions taken during the attempts on Ronald Reagan in 1981 and George W. Bush in 2005 emphasize the importance of immediate response. 

Security measures at the Butler rally were scrutinized particularly for the perceived slow reaction despite the presence of a sniper team. Observers have noted that the team was not quick enough to engage the shooter, adding to the ongoing debate about the efficacy of Trump’s security detail.

A key eyewitness reported suspicious activity but claimed their alerts were ignored, mirroring failures that compounded the tragic outcome. 

Experts, including former Secret Service agents, have commented on these security failures, arguing that despite the additional protective resources, the response was insufficient to detect and neutralize the threat promptly.

This discussion draws parallels to the assassination attempt on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe due to lax security, underscoring global concerns about the adequacy of protective measures for high-profile individuals. 

The FBI has joined the investigation into this incident, which is expected to shed further light on what went wrong and how such lapses can be prevented.

This shooting has reignited debate on the top priorities for the Secret Service, from advanced threat detection to effective execution of security protocols under pressure.

The Secret Service, as a federal agency, generally enjoys a significant degree of immunity from lawsuits due to the doctrine of sovereign immunity, which protects the U.S. government and its agencies from being sued without its consent.

Legal Precedents About What It Means to Sue the Secret Service

However, exceptions and legal precedents can provide insight into the potential for suing the Secret Service over security failures.

One critical legal precedent is the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), which allows private parties to sue the United States in federal court for most torts committed by persons acting on behalf of the United States.

Under the FTCA, plaintiffs must demonstrate that the federal employees acted negligently within the scope of their employment.

However, the FTCA includes exceptions, such as the discretionary function exception, which can shield the government from liability if the actions involved an “involve of judgment or choice” grounded in socioeconomic or political policy.

In the case of security failures, plaintiffs would need to overcome the discretionary function exception by proving that the Secret Service’s actions were not discretionary but rather violated specific mandatory policies or procedures. This can be challenging, as courts often defer to the judgment of security professionals in matters of protection and safety.

Harlow v. Fitzgerald

Another relevant precedent involves the case of Harlow v. Fitzgerald (1982), in which the Supreme Court held that government employees are protected from liability for civil damages if they perform discretionary functions. However, this applies only if their actions weren’t violating established statutory or constitutional rights that a reasonable person would have known.

This qualified immunity can make it difficult to hold individual Secret Service agents accountable unless it can be shown that they violated an established right.

Bivens v. Six Unknown Fed. Narcotics Agents

There have been instances where lawsuits against the Secret Service have been allowed to proceed, for example, in Bivens v. Six Unknown Fed. Narcotics Agents (1971), the Supreme Court ruled that an implied cause of action existed, explaining that the Federal Bureau of Narcotics violated a person’s Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure.

However, Bivens’s actions are rare and typically involve clear and egregious violations of constitutional rights.

Bowers v. DeVito

Additionally, the ‘Bowers v. DeVito (1982)‘ case is often cited in discussions of government liability for failing to protect individuals.

In this case, the court ruled that the government has no constitutional duty to protect individuals from private acts of violence. This precedent suggests that suing the Secret Service for failing to prevent an attack may face significant legal hurdles unless a clear statutory or constitutional duty is breached.

Given these precedents, any lawsuit against the Secret Service by former President Donald Trump or the shooting victim’s family would likely face significant challenges.

They would need to demonstrate that the discretionary function exception did not protect the Secret Service’s actions, did not fall under qualified immunity, and violated specific mandatory policies or constitutional rights.

The outcome would depend heavily on the particular facts of the case and the ability to prove negligence or misconduct by the Secret Service agents involved. 

How Might Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Practices Impact Secret Service Operations?

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices aim to create a more representative and fair workplace by ensuring that individuals from various backgrounds, including different races, genders, religions, and political views, have equal opportunities.

In the context of the Secret Service, DEI practices can enhance the agency’s ability to understand and respond to the diverse needs and threats faced by the populations they protect.

By having a workforce that mirrors the nation’s diversity, the Secret Service can potentially improve its cultural competence and communication skills, which are crucial in high-stakes security situations.

Some experts and critics have linked the Secret Service’s performance to its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. They argue that the focus on DEI may have lowered standards during the hiring process, affecting the agency’s overall effectiveness.

Critics argue that DEI initiatives might lower standards during the hiring process, potentially compromising the Secret Service’s effectiveness.

They claim that prioritizing diversity over merit could result in recruiting less qualified agents, impacting the agency’s operational efficiency and effectiveness.

However, DEI proponents counter that these initiatives do not necessarily mean lowering standards but broadening the pool of qualified candidates by removing systemic barriers that have historically excluded certain groups.

What Are Experts Saying About the Secret Service’s Response During the Rally Attack?

Experts have described the Secret Service’s response during the rally attack as a ‘catastrophic failure.’

Professor Joe Siracusa, Curtin University’s Dean of Global Futures, emphasized that the shooting incident at Donald Trump’s rally was a significant lapse in security protocols.

Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and pro-Trump commentator, criticized the movements of the federal agents in the field, noting that they struggled to get former President Donald Trump to safety. He highlighted that the evacuation process did not go as planned, leaving Trump vulnerable to further attacks.

Social media users and law-enforcement sources pointed out that Secret Service agents struggled with holstering their weapons as former President Donald Trump was being evacuated. This raised concerns about the preparedness and training of the agents involved in the operation.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer announced that Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle would be called for a hearing to address the security lapses. This indicates growing pressure on the agency to explain the failures and take accountability for the incident.

The FBI has begun investigating the matter, which is expected to provide more insights into the security failures. This investigation will likely shed light on the specific lapses and help determine the necessary steps to prevent similar incidents.

How Does Wrongful Death Law Work in Such Cases?

With the recent attack on former President Donald Trump, several concerned people, especially the family of the victim, retired fire chief Corey Competore. Can Donald Trump, the shooting victim’s family, sue the Secret Service for injury/death?

Wrongful death law allows families to hold a person or entity liable for damages. This is possible when they can prove that said person/entity was responsible for their loved one’s death.

A wrongful death lawsuit compensates surviving family members for any financial or emotional consequences of the victim’s death.

Such claims apply when the person’s death happens because of someone else’s fault or neglect, among other reasons. Some would argue that the Secret Service’s “failed” response during the rally attack could have been the reason for the person’s passing and Trump’s injuries.

The grieving family could seek legal counsel and file a claim against the state for what happened. Unfortunately, allegations involving state or federal government agencies are slightly different.

Who Can File the Claim?

One of the first things to note is that wrongful death claims may vary depending on the state. Each one has specific guidelines about who can sue.

In Pennsylvania, for example, the only people allowed to file a wrongful death claim are the deceased’s:

– Spouse

– Parents

– Children

There are no citizenship requirements to sue in the state, so a person doesn’t have to be a Pennsylvania resident to continue their claim.

If there are no qualifying legal beneficiaries to file the lawsuit, the responsibility will fall on the personal representative of the deceased’s estate. They can try to recover damages to restore the estate to its original financial condition.

Which Damages Can the Family Pursue Through a Wrongful Death Case?

Surviving family members can seek many damages in the lawsuit, including funeral and burial expenses. Damages get separated into economic and non-economic losses. The first ones also include medical bills.

Non-economic damages, however, tend to be more challenging to calculate. They cover the loss of love, affection, companionship, etc. Establishing a monetary amount for emotional suffering can be difficult, but it’s possible with the help of a reputable attorney.

Most courts consider different factors when evaluating how much the grieving family should get for their claim, including the victim’s:

– Age

– Health condition before the accident

– Earning capacity

– Family needs

The outcome of the claim depends on whether they can hold someone liable for what happened and the amount of money they spent because of that.

Can the Shooting Victim’s Family Sue the Secret Service Through a Wrongful Death Claim?

Given the circumstances of the Trump rally, it’s hard to tell whether a lawsuit of this nature could proceed. The shooting victim’s family has the legal right to seek damages for what happened. They can argue that a lack of preparation, among other reasons, was what led to their loved one’s death.

However, it’s important to remember that the Secret Service has (and will use) certain defenses. As mentioned, the Federal Tort Claims Act prevents people from filing a claim against a federal employee unless they can prove that the employee acted “in a negligent manner.”

Also, the family must prove that the employee’s act was the victim’s primary cause of death.

Evidence is pivotal when filing a claim under the FTCA, as it will ensure the case proceeds.

Another factor is that government/federal employees often enjoy “qualified immunities.” Unless the surviving family members can prove that the Secret Service violated an established right at the time of the victim’s death, the case may not proceed.

It’s possible to file a claim with proper preparation. After gathering enough evidence and talking to the appropriate witnesses, a reputable attorney could help the family seek justice for their loved one’s death.

How Much Time Would the Family Have to File Their Claim?

Surviving family members in Pennsylvania have two years from the date of the person’s death to file their claim. Missing the deadline means losing the right to recover compensation.

Cases involving government entities are different, though. The family might need to file a “notice of claim” first to protect their right to sue in the future. It gives the entity/employee notice that they may be subject to a claim for damages later.

Unlike the deadline mentioned first, the family may have only a few months to send the notice of claim. Otherwise, they may lose their right to seek damages.

Contacting a lawyer is crucial during these steps to ensure the family doesn’t miss any deadlines.

Bottom Line

Working with a reputable lawyer is the key to solving any legal case efficiently. Waiting until the last minute to find help will lead to many obstacles down the road. The Trump assassination attempt didn’t need to happen under any circumstance, but the legal system has certain protections in place for those who were affected by it.

Filing a claim under such circumstances could be challenging, but evaluating chances with an expert is always better than giving up.

The shooting victim’s family may be able to get justice and compensation for what happened. If they act quickly and get legal advice, they may get what they need to build their case.