Bipartisan Panel Says Secret Service Needs Reform 

An independent review of the Secret Service following the first assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump concluded the need for "fundamental" changes.

The Details: The panel, made up of government officials and former law enforcement, said that without change, what happened in Butler, PA, would happen again. The report found there was no plan to secure key buildings before the Butler rally, and there were communications breakdowns internally and with local police. The 52-page report recommended that the Secret Service de-emphasize investigating financial crimes, have overhead surveillance at outdoor events, have at least one representative of the Secret Service and state and local law enforcement at a communications hub, and bring in outside leadership. The changes should be made by March.

Key Quote: The panel said, "The Secret Service has become bureaucratic, complacent, and static even though risks have multiplied and technology has evolved." 

For Context: The panel traveled to Butler, reviewed 58 multi-hour interviews of the Secret Service and law enforcement, and reviewed more than 7,000 documents. They did not find lack of funding to be one of the underlying issues. The assassination attempt in Butler led to the resignation of the Secret Service director. The Secret Service thwarted another attempt on Trump's life at his golf course in September.

How the Media Covered It: Some media coverage used sensational language or subjective adjectives. BBC News (Center bias) said the report was "damning," and Politico (Lean Left) said the review "blasts" the Secret Service.