Plaintiffs Sue Federal Government Over Security Failures in Trump Assassination Attempt

Two men, victims of a shooting at a Pennsylvania rally where a gunman attempted to assassinate Donald Trump, have filed lawsuits against the federal government. James Copenhaver and David Dutch allege negligence from the U.S. Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in securing the event in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The lawsuits were filed in the Western District of Pennsylvania and specifically mention the vulnerability of the AGR Complex roof utilized by the shooter, Thomas Crooks. Both lawsuits name the United States government as the defendant, with the plaintiffs’ wives joining in the action.

Citing the report on the assassination attempt, the lawsuits state, “Congressional investigations highlighted the failures of the USSS on the day of the attempt, describing it as a ‘cascade of preventable failures.'”

David Dutch suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen, requiring multiple surgeries. James Copenhaver was hit in the abdomen and arm, with bullet fragments still lodged in his body.

The shooting took place at a rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds on July 13, 2024. Crooks’ bullet grazed Trump’s ear before he was killed by a Secret Service sniper. Corey Comperatore, a former volunteer fire chief attending the event, was killed while protecting his family.

The lawsuits blame several security lapses by the Secret Service for allowing the shooting. These include failing to secure the roof despite warnings of its vulnerability.

The lawsuits argue, “The defendant United States of America, through the Secret Service, committed serious failures, ignoring protocols and procedures that directly led to or allowed the shooting.” They further claim that the attempt on Trump’s life was preventable, caused in part by USSS failures before and during the event.

The complaints also cite insufficient communication, noting the Secret Service used fragmented command posts and depended on cellphones instead of centralized radio channels. This fragmentation severely hampered the transmission of critical safety information.

Plaintiffs argue that authorities saw Crooks acting erratically and using a range finder in the hours leading up to the shooting, indicating a missed opportunity to prevent the event. The Secret Service has admitted to its failures, with numerous agents facing disciplinary actions as a result.

Both lawsuits seek $150,000 in damages, plus interest and attorney fees. Fox News has reached out to the White House, Secret Service, and DHS for comment.