Local Pennsylvania law enforcement were the ones tasked with securing the areas outside of the rally perimeter during the rally that saw Donald Trump barely avoid being the victim of a fatal shooting.
The Secret Service told the Washington Post that it is not uncommon for them to utilize local police assets to help secure locations outside of the immediate area of rallies held by candidates for the Presidency.
“Secret Service always has the lead on securing something like this,” Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police told reporters. “We work with them to provide whatever is requested by the Secret Service, but they’re the lead in that security.”
Local Pennsylvania police snipers also joined two sniper teams from the Secret Service in guarding the area around the rally.
Snipers did fatally shoot Thomas Crooks, the man accused of shooting multiple people at the rally, including nicking the former President’s ear and murdering a local firefighter who was seated behind Trump on the stage.
A hearing has already been scheduled for July 22 by the House Oversight Committee to examine how Crooks managed to come within millimeters of assassinating a Presidential candidate.