New York [US], August 24: Fox News reported on August 23 that at least five Secret Service agents were temporarily laid off for their responsibility in ensuring security for Mr. Trump during the failed assassination attempt on July 13. These five people were placed on remote work and were not allowed to go to the field and could not participate in the investigation.
Those suspended include a member of Mr. Trump's security team and four Secret Service agents at the Pittsburgh office in Pennsylvania, including a deputy.
The move comes as the US Secret Service continues to be criticized for security lapses that allowed a gunman to fire eight shots at former President Trump as he spoke to supporters. Trump suffered an ear injury while one person in the crowd died.
Lawmakers have pressed the Secret Service to take disciplinary action against those who planned the rally. Acting Deputy Director Ronald Rowe said the agency would wait until the investigation was complete before taking action.
Multiple investigations are underway, including within the Secret Service, by congressional agencies and an independent commission led by the Department of Homeland Security.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Arizona on the evening of August 23, Mr. Trump also announced that if re-elected, he would establish an independent commission to investigate assassinations, including the case targeting him and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy .
"The committee will be tasked with releasing all remaining records relating to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy," Trump said alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., son of the late Senator Robert Kennedy and nephew of the late President John Kennedy. Both Kennedy brothers died in shocking assassinations. Kennedy Jr. has just announced that he is suspending his presidential campaign to support Trump.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper