Written By Montgomery J Granger @mjgranger1
Those responsible for the assassination attempt on former President and current Presidential candidate, Donald J. Trump, want this issue to disappear. They might downplay it since Trump wasn’t killed or seriously injured—just a nick to the ear. But the opposite needs to happen. Despite Joe Biden’s withdrawal and Kamala Harris’s emergence, an investigation into this incident must escalate.
Military Training and the Importance of Security
In Officer Candidate School (OCS), which was the source of my military commission after five years as an enlisted Combat Medic in the US Army Reserve, they emphasize establishing a secure perimeter on patrol. Security is paramount. Without it, you are ineffective and vulnerable.
Security involves surveying the perimeter, digging in, and creating sector of fire sketches for interlocking fire on approach avenues. Your platoon sergeant or first sergeant ensures your sector of fire is accurate and provides interlocking coverage of all potential threats.
Communication: The Second Pillar of Security
Communication is the second most crucial aspect. Even if your position is secure, you remain ineffective without communication with superiors, subordinates, and surrounding units. Coordination is essential for effective and efficient efforts against threats.
You learn about cover, concealment, sectors of interlocking fire, battlefield analysis, plans and contingencies, final protective fires, calling in air and artillery support, 9-line medivac messages, and retrograde movement. These detailed procedures are critical for survival and mission success.
Military vs. Secret Service: A Stark Contrast
Is the Secret Service different from the military? Absolutely. So different that their leader, Director Kimberly Cheatle, carries a coffee cup into meetings, with a department logo cozy around it. A coffee clutch culture for the protectors of the most important people on the planet.
A Culture of Complacency?
This complacency almost cost Donald Trump his life. Being informed an hour before the attempt that a suspect was near the speaking location, with subsequent sightings and no action taken, is flabbergasting. It reeks of malfeasance, defying logic and common sense.
The Need for Immediate Action and Investigation
Law enforcement is all about action. Although not a law enforcement officer myself, I spent the last 9 years of a 22-year military career in Military Police units. I worked alongside some of the finest military police, many of whom were also civilian law enforcement officers. We conducted patrols, convoy protection, detention operations, and battlefield operations in Iraq and Gitmo.
I have participated in security missions in the US and abroad in combat zones and high-value detention operations. I understand the concepts and procedures that keep people safe in dangerous situations.
A Miracle on July 13
What happened on July 13 to Donald Trump was nothing short of a miracle. A clear and close head shot that was not fatal. The shooter was not military-trained; otherwise, he might have aimed at the center of mass. If Trump was wearing a bulletproof vest, it saved his life.
The projectile could have caused severe damage to any other part of Trump’s body. Between 5-8 bullets could have riddled his body in the time it took law enforcement to neutralize the threat. By nearly all scenarios, Trump should be dead. He’s not, but this should not deter the seriousness and vigor with which we must pursue those behind this cowardly act.
Demanding Accountability and Transparency
We must judge this event by its intent, not its results. Although one person lost their life and two others were seriously injured, the target was nearly unscathed. A miracle.
Every American must communicate directly with their congressional representatives and insist on a thorough investigation. We need to know who, what, where, when, why, and how. We need to know the chain of command and structure of authority. We need to know the rules of engagement and who was making real-time decisions before, during, and after the assassination attempt. We need this information quickly to prevent future attempts.
A commission needs to be empaneled with wide powers of subpoena. The panelists should be non-political former jurists or Inspector Generals.
Kimberly Cheatle’s Resignation and the Urgent Need for Answers
Kimberly Cheatle’s resignation in the face of perjury charges should send chills down the spine of every loyal American. She perjured herself, and other department heads refuse to be questioned. This is insubordination at best and a cover-up at worst.
Allowing the shooter on a rooftop 130 yards from Donald Trump was an obvious breach of security. There had to be a plan in place, including local law enforcement, regarding such a breach. The plan was either ignored or poorly implemented.
Given the Secret Service’s history, expertise, and experience, there is no excuse for the oversight of the perimeter and the lack of effective communication. The attempt should never have happened.
Years of risk assessment training and experience have taught me to trust my gut, and my gut and training say the probability that this was negligence is nil. Too many things had to happen in a specific sequence for this man to take up to eight shots at his target.
Conclusion: This Was an OP
Contact your congressional representatives now and demand accountability as if Donald Trump had been assassinated. Our legitimate avenue of redress is through our representatives. Are you listening, Congressman Nick LaLota (NY-1)?