Two men wounded during the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in July have accused the US Secret Service of gross negligence. Jim Copenhaver, 74, and David Dutch, 57, spoke publicly for the first time since the shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, which left one spectator dead and injured Trump's ear.
In an interview with NBC Nightly News, Dutch said there was '100% negligence on the Secret Service – probably everybody involved in setting that security'. Copenhaver added that the incident 'wouldn’t have happened, had it been secure'. Both men sustained serious injuries: Dutch was shot in the liver, while Copenhaver was hit in the triceps and abdomen.
Their attorneys confirmed plans to file lawsuits seeking damages, though they are still reviewing potential defendants. The men described ongoing health problems: Copenhaver lost 30 pounds, uses a cane, and still experiences pain; Dutch lost 25 pounds, cannot drive, and requires help tending to his wound.
The Secret Service has faced scrutiny over security failures at the rally. An internal investigation found poor communication and inadequate planning. Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned shortly after the incident. The agency later thwarted a second assassination attempt on Trump at a Florida golf course.
Trump recently returned to Butler for a rally, where he praised Corey Comperatore, the 50-year-old former fire chief killed while protecting his family. Trump's comment that Comperatore 'had the best seat in the house' drew criticism.
