Trump and Secret Service vow accountability and support for widow after Butler rally shooting tragedy.

Personal Calls Bring Promises of Accountability

President Donald Trump and Secret Service Director Sean Curran reached out to Helen Comperatore, the widow of Corey Comperatore, the volunteer firefighter who was killed during the shooting at a Butler, Pennsylvania rally. The tragedy, which occurred on July 13, 2024, left three others wounded, including Trump, and brought national attention to questions about event security and federal protection protocols.

Helen Comperatore revealed that Trump called her after seeing her televised interview, offering condolences and vowing ongoing support for her and other families affected by the shooting. “He told me he’d always be there for us,” she recounted, underscoring the deep impact of the tragedy on both the victims’ families and the broader public.

Secret Service Director Curran also phoned Comperatore, expressing his heartbreak after watching her speak ahead of the one-year anniversary of the attack. He apologized for the agency’s lack of communication and pledged to meet with her personally to review the circumstances of the shooting. Curran assured her that under his leadership, the agency would approach the case differently and work to answer all outstanding questions.

Agency Admits Failures and Takes Disciplinary Action

Comperatore has been outspoken about the failures that led to her husband’s death, demanding answers and accountability. “We were all sitting ducks that day. Our blood is all over their hands. I am angry. I lost the love of my life. They screwed up,” she said, calling for a full review of the agency’s actions and decision-making before and during the incident.

The Secret Service has acknowledged several lapses in their operation, including the decision not to secure the rooftop from which 20-year-old gunman Thomas Crooks fired eight rounds. In the aftermath, the agency suspended six agents without pay or benefits as an initial response to the findings. The agency has confirmed that a comprehensive report on the shooting will be prepared, though it remains unclear when it will be released to the public.

As the anniversary of the Butler rally shooting approaches, families continue to press for transparency and change. Trump emphasized the lasting bond formed among those affected by the tragedy and assured that steps will be taken to prevent similar failures in the future. The ongoing investigation and the actions taken by the Secret Service signal a commitment to accountability and improvement in the wake of profound loss.