New body cam footage from the J13 attack was released showing law enforcement’s reaction in the immediate aftermath of the attempt on Trump’s life.
In this report:
Recently released bodycam footage from the J13 incident has brought to light significant tension between local law enforcement and the Secret Service. The footage, obtained through a public records request, captures moments of frustration and confusion among officers who were on the scene during the attempted assassination and subsequent murder. The revelations in this footage have raised serious questions about the coordination and effectiveness of security measures that day.
Frustration Boils Over
The bodycam footage reveals raw moments of anger from local police officers directed at the Secret Service. One officer is heard expressing his frustration, stating, “I effing told them that they needed to post guys effing over here. I told him that effing Tuesday.” This statement reflects the officer’s anger over the perceived failure of the Secret Service to adequately secure the area, particularly the building where the shooting occurred.
The officer’s frustration only grows when he realizes that no officers were stationed on the roof, a critical vantage point that could have potentially prevented the tragedy. “Why were we not on the roof? Why weren’t we? Are you kidding?” the officer exclaims, highlighting a clear breakdown in communication and planning between the local police and federal agencies.
A Failure of Coordination
The footage provides a more comprehensive picture of the chaos and lack of coordination that plagued the security efforts that day. Despite warnings from local law enforcement about the need for a stronger presence, particularly on the roof, the Secret Service apparently did not take these concerns seriously. The footage captures officers discussing how they had communicated with the Secret Service, who had assured them that necessary measures would be taken. Yet, when the moment of crisis arrived, those measures were glaringly absent.
Adding to the frustration is the fact that the Secret Service seemed to pin the blame on local law enforcement for the failures that day. Federal officials later suggested that local snipers were supposed to secure the roof, a responsibility that local police argue was not theirs. This finger-pointing has only deepened the rift between the two agencies and raised questions about the effectiveness of the security plan.
The Aftermath of the Shooting
The bodycam footage also captures the immediate aftermath of the shooting, where officers are seen scrambling to respond to the chaos. One officer remarks, “He was right where you picked me up, bro. He was on that left side,” indicating the confusion and rapid movement in the moments following the shots. The footage shows officers working frantically to secure the area and attend to the wounded, all while grappling with the realization that critical security measures were not in place.
The footage also documents the officers’ attempts to track down a suspicious individual who had been acting strangely before the shooting. The officers discuss how this person had been creeping people out and was seen near the water tower earlier in the day. Despite being aware of this individual for over 90 minutes, law enforcement lost track of him, further highlighting the disarray that characterized the response to the incident.
Secret Service’s Response
In response to the release of the bodycam footage, the Secret Service has faced intense scrutiny. Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe acknowledged that the agency should have had a stronger presence at the building, admitting that the roof should have been secured. This admission has done little to ease the frustration of local law enforcement, who feel they were unfairly blamed for the failures of the day.
The Secret Service’s handling of the situation has also raised questions about their overall preparedness and coordination with local agencies. The lack of interaction between the Secret Service and local police leading up to the event, including skipping key meetings, has been a point of contention. The failure to properly secure critical vantage points and the subsequent blame game has only added to the perception that the federal agency was not adequately prepared for the threats they faced.
Conclusion
The release of this new bodycam footage has provided a sobering look into the failures and frustrations of the J13 incident. The clear lack of coordination between local law enforcement and the Secret Service, coupled with the apparent failure to heed warnings and secure critical areas, has raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of the security measures in place that day.
As the investigation continues, the tension between these agencies is likely to remain in the spotlight. The footage serves as a stark reminder of the importance of clear communication and thorough planning in ensuring the safety of all involved. Moving forward, it will be crucial for both local and federal agencies to learn from these mistakes to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.