GOP senator demands answers to whistleblower allegations about second Trump assassination attempt

Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley on Wednesday sent a letter to the Secret Service, demanding answers on allegations from a whistleblower about alleged "known vulnerabilities" at a golf course that led to a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

The second assassination attempt took place on Sunday at Trump's golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. No shots were reportedly fired at the former president, but the suspect allegedly aimed the barrel of the gun at Trump through a fence before the Secret Service intervened. The first assassination attempt took place against Trump in July. 

Hawley claimed in the letter to acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe that a Secret Service whistleblower, identified as an agent who has protected Trump at the golf course in the past, alleged that the agency failed to address "known vulnerabilities" at the golf course, including areas that offer a clear line of sight of people playing on the course.

"[T]he whistleblower alleges that it has been Secret Service protocol to 'post up' agents at these vulnerable spots when Trump visits the course," the senator wrote. "That apparently did not happen on September 15. Instead, the gunman was permitted to remain along or near the fence line for some 12 hours." 

The senator also stated that it was unclear if the Secret Service used drones or did a sweep of the golf course perimeter before the former president visited on Sunday. He then asked whether the allegations were true, and questioned why the suspect was not spotted by security earlier. 

"Secret Service is supposed to be in charge of protecting Trump, but here they are continuing to blame local law enforcement," Hawley wrote in a post to X. "Stop with the stonewalling and shifting blame. We need accountability."

Hawley did not include a specific deadline for Rowe's response, but urged him to reply "immediately." 

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.