Former Secret Service special agent Tim Miller told Newsmax that the July 13, 2024 assassination attempt on President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, remains unresolved more than two years later. He warned that alleged insider security breaches — including the recent removal of the agency's communications director and two staffers — put agents at risk. Miller cited a 700% increase in threats, highlighted understaffing and retention problems, and urged deep structural reforms plus full investigations and possible prosecutions.
Ex-Secret Service Agent: Butler Shooting 'A Big Mystery' — Insider Breaches 'Put Agents At Risk'
President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
Former Secret Service special agent Tim Miller told Newsmax that the July 13, 2024 assassination attempt on President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, remains unexplained more than two years later. Miller also warned that alleged insider security lapses at the Secret Service endanger agents assigned to protective details and complicate investigations.
What Miller Said
Appearing on 'The Record With Greta Van Susteren,' Miller said basic questions about the Butler shooting still have not been answered. 'Two years later, after one of the most iconic events in our lifetime, we still don't have the details as to how and why this happened,' he said, adding that investigators have released only 'dribs and drabs' of information.
'So, yeah, this is a big mystery still as we get more information,' Miller said.
Miller linked the unresolved questions to recent personnel moves at the agency. He noted that the Secret Service's communications director and two staff members were escorted from the building less than two weeks ago amid allegations they compromised sensitive internal information. 'As a Marine, that's horrifying to me to think that folks on the inside are creating a problem for these agents,' he said.
Staffing, Threats, and Retention
Miller said rank-and-file agents are carrying heavy workloads with insufficient support. 'The rank and file agents, they are sacrificially doing this job with understaffing and not appropriate resources,' he said. According to Miller, threats to protectees have surged — he cited a 700% increase — and every threat must be investigated regardless of how unlikely it may appear.
'The Secret Service doesn't take any threat lightly. You've got to go run it down,' Miller said, adding that investigating every tip requires manpower and funding that the agency currently lacks. He warned that long hours and heavy demands are driving experienced agents away: 'You're losing good folks that say, no, I didn't sign up to never see my family. I didn't sign up to always be gone.' Retention, he said, is a major problem.
Calls For Reform And Accountability
Miller questioned whether the agency's structure matches the threats it now faces. 'Is the Secret Service in a position where they have to reconstruct the agency to address the threats?' he asked, suggesting the need for more than incremental fixes. He urged renewed focus on budget, staffing, mission clarity and recruiting 'the biggest, baddest warriors possible.' He also called for full investigations into reported internal compromises and prosecution if warranted.
Response From Former President Trump
On the same day, former President Trump criticized the FBI and former FBI Director Christopher Wray after new details emerged about the suspect identified as Thomas Crooks. Trump accused what he called the 'Crooked Joe Biden FBI' and 'Dirty Cop Christopher Wray' of mishandling the probe and suggested that key information was missing when he returned to office.
The situation has prompted renewed calls for transparency, accountability and resources to ensure protective operations and investigations are conducted thoroughly and securely.
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