The U.S. Secret Service dealt with several drone-related incidents without adjusting its protection policies or documenting why it didn’t, according to a government report released Thursday. That information may have helped illustrate the emerging threat of civilian drone use before one was used in the 2024 assassination attempt on then-candidate Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The report from the Government Accountability Office found delays and holes in how the Secret Service updates its policies regarding threats, and arrives after a few turbulent years for the agency charged with the president’s protection.
The would-be assassin in Butler positioned himself on a roof left unsecured, nicking the president’s ear with a bullet. Months later, a man with a rifle got surprisingly close to Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course. And in April, an armed man got beyond security barriers at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner, where the president sat.
The report found that between 2015 and 2025 the Secret Service dealt with 83 security incidents and that they updated their protection policies in response to 25 of them. Among the incidents was a drone that made contact with President Barack Obama’s motorcade in 2015 and another flown about 200 feet (60 meters) over a rally for then-presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
Failing to document why the Secret Service decided not to change their policy is the concern, said Nathan Tranquilli, acting director of the Government Accountability Office, adding that the drone incidents were a “compelling example” of that.
“Some of the missing information has been relevant to subsequent attacks,” the report read. It cited the Butler incident, where the culprit flew a drone for 11 minutes over the crowd, which helped him position himself to get clear shot at Trump.
The Secret Service also failed to update eight of 22 protection policies within a required time frame of four years. A memorandum of understanding between the Secret Service and the Diplomatic Security Service, which designates each agencies’ responsibilities for the president’s overseas security, hasn’t been updated since 1991, even though an annual review and update is required. As a consequence, the memorandum doesn’t address newer threats, such as drones.
“When you look at the Secret Service and you look at their mission, really it’s a zero fail mission, and they’ve got a ton of challenges,” said Tranquilli. “When decisions were being made about where to put time and energy, some of these things fell to the side, and, as a result, there were some delays.”
The report recommended three fixes, including that the Secret Service revise its policy to require that, when a security incident doesn’t warrant a policy update, that the rationale is documented.
A spokesperson for the Secret Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the report stated that the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service, agreed with all recommendations and plans to implement changes.
A recent report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlighted concerning deficiencies in the U.S. Secret Service’s handling of drone-related security incidents, revealing that the agency did not adapt its protection policies or adequately document its rationale for inaction. This oversight has raised questions about the agency’s preparedness in light of evolving threats, particularly following a drone-related assassination attempt on then-candidate Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024.
The GAO report examined security incidents involving the Secret Service from 2015 to 2025, revealing that the agency responded to a total of 83 incidents but only updated its protective measures after 25 of them. Among these incidents were notable events such as a drone that made contact with President Obama’s motorcade in 2015 and another that flew dangerously close to a rally for Bernie Sanders.
The findings underscore significant lapses in the Secret Service’s protocol for dealing with emerging threats, particularly the lack of documentation surrounding why certain incidents did not trigger policy updates. Nathan Tranquilli, acting director of the GAO, emphasized that the incidents involving drones serve as “compelling examples” of this issue. For instance, the report noted that the drone used in the Butler incident was flown for 11 minutes over the crowd, enabling the assailant to take a clear shot at Trump.
Furthermore, the report indicated that the Secret Service failed to update eight out of 22 protection policies within the mandated four-year time frame. A critical memorandum of understanding between the Secret Service and the Diplomatic Security Service, which outlines each agency’s responsibilities for presidential security abroad, has not been revised since 1991. This lack of updates has resulted in a failure to address newer threats, including the growing use of drones.
Tranquilli commented on the challenges faced by the Secret Service, noting that the agency operates under a “zero fail mission” mandate, yet has struggled to adequately prioritize and address emerging threats. He indicated that decisions regarding resource allocation have led to significant delays in policy updates and responses to security incidents.
The GAO report offered three key recommendations to improve the Secret Service’s operational effectiveness. Firstly, it suggested that the agency revise its policies to mandate documentation of the rationale behind decisions not to update security measures in response to specific incidents. This change would promote accountability and clarity in decision-making processes.
A spokesperson for the Secret Service did not provide immediate comments regarding the report. However, the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service, has expressed agreement with the recommendations and plans to implement the suggested changes.
Overall, the GAO report sheds light on critical vulnerabilities within the Secret Service’s approach to security, particularly in the face of evolving threats like civilian drone usage. The implications of these findings are significant, especially considering the potential consequences of insufficient protective measures surrounding key political figures. Addressing these gaps will be vital for enhancing the safety and security of the nation’s leadership as they navigate increasingly complex threat landscapes.
