The Secret Service, the agency tasked with protecting current and former U.S. presidents, is facing renewed scrutiny after a gunman fired at Donald J. Trump from the top of a building during a campaign rally in Butler, Pa. Mr. Trump was grazed by a bullet, a rallygoer was killed and two others were severely injured.
Here are some of the questions facing the agency:
Why didn’t the Secret Service secure the building where the gunman fired from the roof?
The agency made the decision to exclude the building from the “inner perimeter” area it was in charge of protecting after agency personnel visited the rally site ahead of Mr. Trump’s appearance on Saturday. Such advance visits are standard procedure.
A supervisor later approved the decision about the perimeter, despite the fact that the building was 400 feet from the stage and a relatively easy shot for a sniper.
The Secret Service has not identified the supervisor or explained why the decision was made.
Who was responsible for securing the building?
The local police. It is unclear whether they were prepared for this kind of high-stakes assignment, or how much they understood the building was their responsibility.
The Secret Service often relies on local law enforcement agencies to help provide security at events.
Was there a breakdown in communication between local law enforcement and the Secret Service?
The Secret Service has said that local law enforcement was told of a “suspicious” person by rally attendees but could not find him. It is unclear whether or when this was relayed to the Secret Service.
People at the rally pointed out the suspect on the roof to local law enforcement. How did they react?
People at the rally say they tried to point out a gunman on the roof to local police. There have been varying reports on whether and how the police responded. Video taken by a bystander and analyzed by The New York Times shows people pointing to the suspected shooter and warning law enforcement two minutes before the first burst of gunfire rang out.
Investigations will likely raise questions about how much warning time the Secret Service had before its agents shot and killed the gunman.
Did the Secret Service respond appropriately after the shooting started?
The Secret Service killed the gunman soon after the first bullets were fired from his gun. Mr. Trump, who was grazed, grabbed his ear, which was spurting blood, then dove to the ground beside the podium. Secret Service agents quickly covered him.
Once Mr. Trump was back on his feet, he called for his shoes and raised a fist in a show of defiance to his supporters.
Former federal law enforcement officials have questioned the Secret Service’s decision to allow Mr. Trump to pause and raise his fist, exposing his head, rather than immediately moving him to his vehicle.
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