A communication breakdown between the local SWAT team and the Secret Service left former President Donald Trump vulnerable to an assassination attempt that killed one and injured three during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The incident highlighted significant lapses in security protocol, with failures in planning and communication between the Secret Service and local law enforcement leading to tragic outcomes. Despite the SWAT team's efforts to flag the gunman as suspicious, a critical missed briefing and lack of action from Secret Service resulted in a lone gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, infiltrating the event. The aftermath has spurred multiple investigations and led to the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, as the nation grapples with the threat posed to a former head of state.

The local SWAT team, assigned to assist in the protection of former President Donald Trump during his rally on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, reported a lack of communication with the Secret Service. This absence of coordination was a critical failure in the security measures intended to safeguard the event.

The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, managed to infiltrate the rally, resulting in a tragic loss of life and injuries. Crooks killed one man, critically injured two others, and wounded Trump in a calculated attack that left law enforcement agencies scrutinizing their methods and communication practices.

Beaver County's SWAT lead sharpshooter, Jason Woods, noted that their team was supposed to receive a face-to-face briefing with the Secret Service, which never transpired. This omission led to growing suspicions among the SWAT team that their security protocols were not thoroughly integrated with those of the Secret Service.

Suspicions about Thomas Matthew Crooks arose early when the local SWAT team noticed his presence and took photographs of him on the roof of a nearby building. Despite alerting authorities to his suspicious behavior, there was no immediate action or response from the Secret Service or Trump's advisory team.

In the wake of the assassination attempt, former President Trump questioned the apparent communication breakdown. He suggested that if his advisers had been alerted about the suspicious individual, the speech could have been delayed, potentially averting the assassination attempt.

Following the incident, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned, underscoring the gravity of the security failures that occurred. Her resignation is one among several responses to a significant security lapse that put a former President in imminent danger.

A comprehensive series of investigations has been launched, involving law enforcement, internal reviews, and congressional probes. These inquiries aim to uncover the specific reasons behind the communication failures and evaluate how such lapses in coordination can be prevented in the future.

Beaver County Chief Detective Patrick Young defended the actions of the local SWAT team, asserting that they did everything within their power to prevent the incident.

The incident has sparked nationwide concern about the security processes in place for protecting high-profile individuals. As investigations proceed, findings are expected to inform changes in protocol and better integration of local and federal law enforcement efforts.

The lessons from this event are anticipated to lead to substantial changes in how security details are managed for former Presidents and other high-profile public figures. The focus is likely to be on enhancing real-time communication and ensuring that every level of law enforcement is adequately briefed and prepared to respond to potential threats.