Secret Service Scrutinized: Leadership Needs Fresh Faces After Trump Shooting

An independent panel has delivered a harsh critique of the Secret Service. They're calling for new leadership to shake up the agency's culture and practices. The panel found that the agency was too bureaucratic and didn't think critically about security. They also said the agency should focus more on protective work and less on other tasks. The failures at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania this summer were a big reason for the criticism. The panel pointed out that the agency didn't properly secure the rally site. They also didn't respond to reports about the shooter before Trump was shot. The panel also noted that the agency didn't ramp up security for Trump even though there were assassination threats from a foreign state actor. There were also communication issues between the Secret Service and local law enforcement. The panel praised agents for their bravery in protecting Trump after the shooting, but they said that's not enough. The agency needs to do better to prevent such incidents in the future. The panel suggested bringing in new leaders from outside the agency to bring fresh perspectives and change the culture. Currently, the agency is led by an acting director who comes from within the agency.