The organization had become “bureaucratic, complacent, and static,” according to the findings of an independent panel that was tasked with looking into the shooting on July 13. The panel was disclosed on Thursday.
The 52-page study concluded that a “number of specific failures and breakdowns” made the attack on the Republican presidential nominee possible and demanded a change in leadership.
The director of the Secret Service retired weeks after the shooting, and the agency has already admitted to mistakes.
Ronald Rowe, the agency’s interim head, said in a statement on Thursday that the latest report will be closely reviewed.
“We have already implemented enhanced protective operations for the former president and greatly improved our operational and organizational communications and readiness,” he said.
The report, which was written by state and federal law enforcement authorities, highlighted a number of leadership and cultural shortcomings while also praising the agents who put their lives in danger to safeguard several of the nation’s top officials.
Staff members’ “troubling lack of critical thinking” and hesitancy to “speak up” were among them.
The report urged “fundamental reform” of the agency, including the “as soon as possible” removal of some of its top leadership, to address “systemic or cultural” problems.
