A FORMER Secret Service agent has warned Donald Trump’s ill-fated rally in Butler last summer could’ve been more catastrophic were it not for the quick-thinking response of a specialist unit at the scene.

The agency came under intense scrutiny after Trump was targeted – with commentators claiming America faced its most serious security crisis since the shooting of Ronald Reagan more than four decades ago.

Lone wolf shooter Thomas Crooks, 20, used a semi-automatic AR-15 rifle to fire eight rounds at then candidate Trump on July 13 2024, leaving him with a pierced ear. 

Ten days after the shooting, Kimberly Cheatle resigned after coming under an intense barrage of scrutiny. 

The agency has since undergone a series of reforms and six agents were suspended without pay.

Donald Lane, who worked for the Secret Service between 1996 and 2016, revealed all former agents felt a sense of hurt over what unfolded. 

“Former agents took it personally,” he told The U.S. Sun. 

“It hurts us when something like this happens.” 

Firefighter Corey Comperatore died trying to protect his family as shots rained down, but Lane warned the consequences could’ve been more fatal.

“Even with the counter sniper team there, we almost lost candidate Trump,” he said.

“I think, without the counter sniper team being present, you very possibly would’ve seen a catastrophic loss of life. 

“There’s no telling. If the agents didn’t react in a timely manner, you could’ve seen Crooks get more shots away and potentially strike the then-former president.”

Lane welcomed the changes to the agency that have taken place over the past year, but highlighted the areas where the Secret Service must go further.

Secret Service bosses have ramped up security precautions. 

A new aviation division has since been created and communication procedures have been updated.

“Unfortunately sometimes it takes tragedies for lessons to be learned – similar to what happened after 9/11,” Lane said.

The Secret Service needs to continue paying attention to the fact there are bad actors in existence, according to the security expert.

“We’re not just seeing that with just political candidates, but also in the private sector,” he said.

“We need to have everyone thinking in a more safe, conscious way, rather than complacent.”

Lane admitted that complacency can be linked to the failures of the Secret Service that stemmed from Butler. 

And, he was left with a series of questions following the attempted assassination. 

“The lack of communication [between different agencies] was quite shocking,” he said.

The House report on the attempted assassination underscored the lack of communication between different agencies.

It described the communication as “fragmented.”

Unfortunately sometimes it takes tragedies for lessons to be learned – similar to what happened after 9/11

Donald Laneformer Secret Service agent

The security room agent, responsible for all communications, was assigned the role on July 11 – two days before the rally, according to an investigation conducted by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

The agent responsible had asked to cover Jill Biden’s trip to Pittsburgh, but was assigned to the rally instead.

It also emerged that there were two different command posts at the Butler rally.

This was opposed to officials from different agencies – local, state, and federal – working out of one hub.

Different forms of communication – including text and radio – were also used. 

And, the Secret Service was accused of blocking or not reacting to 10 security requests made by Trump’s team during his 2024 campaign. 

Days after the Butler shooting, The Secret Service admitted some security requests Trump’s team had previously made were rejected.

The requests were not related to the rally in the Pennsylvanian industrial town.

But, the report was scathing in its assessment of the Secret Service.

“This was not a single error,” the dossier said.

“It was a cascade of preventable failures that nearly cost President Trump his life.”

‘CASCADE OF PREVENTABLE FAILURES’

Crooks unleashed his attack on Trump – hours after telling his parents at home he was going to a shooting range.

But, he went to an ammunition store in his hometown of Bethel Park. 

And, he also visited a Home Depot store to buy a ladder – although investigators discovered he didn’t use it to gain access to the roof.

Hours before the rally began, Crooks flew a drone as he surveyed the rally site.

Trump started speaking at around 6pm, but a Secret Service agent became suspicious about a man around one hour before.

Crooks had gained access to a building’s roof via an air conditioning unit and minutes before shots were heard, a cop spotted him wielding his assault rifle.

But Michael Slupe, a Butler County Sheriff, confirmed the officer was in a defenseless state. 

Shots rang out at the rally site around 6:11pm sparking a frantic response.

Trump turned his head while his security detail ordered him to get down.

Crooks was shot in the head by a counter-sniper. 

‘DUCK AND COVER’

Politicians such as JD Longo, a local mayor, told The U.S. Sun how he feared for his pregnant wife and family as shots rang out.

And, he also spoke about how some of those in attendance didn’t duck for cover when being ordered to.

“If one of us were tall enough or stood up, there’s a good chance we might’ve fallen victim to this lunatic,”he said.

He recalled how he and his wife learned she was pregnant just days before the rally, so the idea was fresh.

One year on, Secret Service chiefs admitted Butler was an “operational failure” but Comperatore’s family said the agency has “blood on its hands.”

“We were all sitting ducks that day,” she told Fox News.

“Our blood is all over their hands. I am angry. I lost the love of my life. They screwed up.”

Congressional oversight committees suggested 46 recommendations – and 21 have already been implemented.

Bosses have vowed to send additional assets to outdoor events following July 13, 2024, and the agency will identify one person who will approve all security plans.

The Secret Service has vowed to provide a unified briefing to all law enforcement bodies – ranging from the local to the federal level.

Security measures on golf courses are also being examined in light of the second assassination attempt against Trump that happened weeks after Butler.