As a serious consequence of the July 13 assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the US Secret Service has asked at least five agents to take leave after the investigation is complete. According to reports, the head of the Pittsburgh field office is one of the five agents who have been placed on leave. In addition, three other officers from the Pittsburgh field office and an agent from Trump’s special unit have been placed on leave.

It was not clear whether these actions could be considered disciplinary, as it is not uncommon for agents to be placed on leave for the duration of investigations or even for health reasons.

The Secret Service’s Internal Affairs Division is reportedly still investigating how a 20-year-old gunman named Thomas Matthew Crooks managed to open fire on the former US president despite heavy security.

When asked to comment on the issue, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi declined, citing personal matters. He added, however, that the “Intelligence Agency’s mission assurance review is moving forward and we are examining the processes, procedures and factors that led to this operational failure.”

He added that the Secret Service “requires the highest professional standards of its personnel and that all identified and proven violations of policy will be investigated by the Office of Professional Responsibility for possible disciplinary action.”

It is important to note that when Secret Service agents are placed on leave, they are still entitled to their salary and are required to report to the office. They are not permitted to perform their daily duties but must be content with paperwork or other administrative tasks.

The July 13 incident raised significant questions about the effectiveness of security forces, with some even going on sexist tirades and denigrating female agents. Kimberly Cheatle, then-Director of the Secret Service, also faced tough questions from members of Congress. She was later replaced by Acting Director Ronald Rowe, who told senators he was “ashamed” of the assassination attempt and vowed to investigate the errors that allowed the gunman to open fire.

(With contributions from agencies)