Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BumRushDaShow

(157,288 posts)
Sat Jul 12, 2025, 07:02 AM Jul 12

One year after Butler assassination attempt, Secret Service bolsters security with drones, mobile command posts

Source: CBS News

Updated on: July 11, 2025 / 7:40 PM EDT


Laurel, Maryland — It was almost one year ago that 20-year-old Thomas Crooks attempted to assassinate President Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, an incident which prompted several investigations into the U.S. Secret Service's actions and procedures on that day.

Prior to the shooting on July 13, 2024, Crooks flew his own commercial drone for 11 minutes above the Butler campaign rally site, but the Secret Service missed it. This week, CBS News was taken inside the Secret Service's James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C., to see the agency's newest eyes in the sky, a fleet of military-grade drones that reimagine aerial reconnaissance in a post-Butler era.

Matt Quinn, Secret Service deputy director, told CBS News he feels confident in the new technology. "Yes, we're in position now, to not just detect, but to mitigate unauthorized UAS (unmanned aircraft systems)," Quinn said. In Butler, local police warnings did not reach Secret Service counter-snipers because the agencies could not radio each other directly.

Along with the military-grade drones, the Secret Service also established a system of mobile command posts — with price tags ranging from $600,000 to $1.5 million — which allow agents to communicate over radio directly with local law enforcement, something that did not exist in Butler. "This is tremendous to be able to consolidate communications, make sure everyone's on the same page," Quinn said.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/secret-service-bolsters-security-drones-mobile-command-posts-after-butler-assassination-attempt-trump/

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
One year after Butler assassination attempt, Secret Service bolsters security with drones, mobile command posts (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Jul 12 OP
Post removed Post removed Jul 12 #1
We should be better than promoting conspiracy theories hueymahl Jul 12 #9
Perhaps the second most difficult job in the world is keeping Trump alive. twodogsbarking Jul 12 #2
Conspiracy theory- maybe; but i still mwmisses4289 Jul 12 #3
I think the kid killed the man by accident. He was told to fire over the crowd and he missed travelingthrulife Jul 12 #5
I agree with that. mwmisses4289 Jul 12 #7
That pretty much sums it up PSPS Jul 12 #8
That's a baseless theory. There would have been many opportunities away from a high security event Bernardo de La Paz Jul 12 #10
"Yes, we're in position now, to not just detect, but to mitigate unauthorized UAS'." OldBaldy1701E Jul 12 #4
Not armed RoseTrellis Jul 12 #11
I understand what you are saying. OldBaldy1701E Jul 13 #13
They're really going all out on this psy-op tonekat Jul 12 #6
Where are the investigations??? The commissions??? ultralite001 Jul 12 #12

Response to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

twodogsbarking

(14,618 posts)
2. Perhaps the second most difficult job in the world is keeping Trump alive.
Sat Jul 12, 2025, 08:35 AM
Jul 12

The most difficult job would be trying to educate him.

mwmisses4289

(1,644 posts)
3. Conspiracy theory- maybe; but i still
Sat Jul 12, 2025, 08:45 AM
Jul 12

believe the real target was the man who got killed, and krasnov was just in the way.

travelingthrulife

(2,944 posts)
5. I think the kid killed the man by accident. He was told to fire over the crowd and he missed
Sat Jul 12, 2025, 09:06 AM
Jul 12

and hit that man. The pre-planned photo op at the podium carried on as planned. Kid dispatched.

These are NOT decent people.

Bernardo de La Paz

(57,269 posts)
10. That's a baseless theory. There would have been many opportunities away from a high security event
Sat Jul 12, 2025, 09:41 AM
Jul 12

I bet you can't point to any respectable evidence, such as motive or connection, but feel free to try.

OldBaldy1701E

(8,466 posts)
4. "Yes, we're in position now, to not just detect, but to mitigate unauthorized UAS'."
Sat Jul 12, 2025, 08:46 AM
Jul 12

So, they are armed?

Great. I wonder if anyone will care when people start getting mowed down by police drones.

Oh yes, they can't arm police aircraft, can they?

(Yeah... watch them.)

RoseTrellis

(22 posts)
11. Not armed
Sat Jul 12, 2025, 11:34 AM
Jul 12

Probably employing a link jamming technology, like has been implemented in Ukraine. The technology is relatively simple to stop control signal frequencies to these drones, as well as stop the video feed, without which the operator is literally flying blind so the can’t give relevant control inputs. This technology is why fibre optic controlled drones are now widespread in Ukraine.
AFAIK, there are no hobby drones that have fiber optic links, so this frequency mitigation will be effective against the vast majority of current drone threats.

OldBaldy1701E

(8,466 posts)
13. I understand what you are saying.
Sun Jul 13, 2025, 10:38 AM
Jul 13

But since neither of us are allowed to actually hold one or stand next to one, since we are not privy to the design and creation of said drones (I mean, you may be able to do some or any of this, so my point may be moot), we have no idea what they are planning/doing.

I do have more than an idea about the administration that is doing this.

Are you really so sure that they are not armed with something 'offensive'?

(Also, I bet there will be more 'non-commercial' fiber optic drones now.)

tonekat

(2,293 posts)
6. They're really going all out on this psy-op
Sat Jul 12, 2025, 09:07 AM
Jul 12

"It really was an assassination attempt!"

Yeah, sure, whatever.

ultralite001

(1,901 posts)
12. Where are the investigations??? The commissions???
Sat Jul 12, 2025, 02:23 PM
Jul 12

The public outrage??? No "Warren Commission"??? No Congressional committees???
No Special Prosecutor???

No info on the perps... No media sleuthing... Little coverage on survivors... How many
attempts have there been now???

Preplanned, orchestrated reality TV to manipulate the masses + distract from the
general incompetence + cognitive decline of the "Perp-in-Chief" seems to be way
of this administration...

When is the drawing for the Golden Ticket???

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»One year after Butler ass...