State Sen. Weaver: Oklahomans should demand answers over Trump Secret Service fiasco

Opinion: Oklahomans Should Demand Answers

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, comments on the shooting that occurred at President Donald Trump’s rally over the weekend, injuring the President and bystanders, and taking the life of an innocent American:

I spent nearly three decades in law enforcement, the last nine years as the Director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics prior to being elected to the State Senate. As the Director, I was the agency head and responsible for all personnel actions and missions.

In Butler, PA there was a tragic assassination attempt of President Trump. Also, a dedicated father and husband, Cory Comperatore, a former firefighter, lost his life by a coward’s bullet.

First, let me be very clear that the boots on the ground, Secret Service agents, who are assigned to the intercircle protection detail, performed like clockwork on the protection of President Trump. From the human shield to the evacuation to medical care, it was executed and successful.

However, we need immediate and clear explanations of relevant questions:

How can a 20-year-old with no known military or paramilitary training, equipped with a high-powered rifle, low crawling on a roof, come within 130 yards of the President without detection, or without penetrating any level of security?

How can a “would-be assassin” be allowed to be on high ground in such a strategic shooting position and that position not be eliminated and sterilized by the Secret Service forward detail? 

There were multiple buildings and structures surrounding the rally area. Why wasn’t a “rear security” perimeter set-up including elevated positions to see over the possible threats?

There are better temporary elevated security positions and posts at the local mall parking lots than what appeared at the rally in Butler.

Are adequate resources being made available through the US Secret Service to protect the former President and current presumptive Republican presidential nominee and the most visible public official in my lifetime?

Any law enforcement officer I know with a minimum of six months experience would realize how their apparent security plan was inadequate and almost inviting for an assassination attempt.

It does not add up, and pass the common sense, Oklahoma smell test. The American people should demand answers and accountability.

Even if it means layers of leadership at the U.S. Secret Service are removed immediately and replaced with competent law enforcement professionals.