PURE LUCK SAVED TRUMP'S LIFE': In the immediate aftermath of Saturday's attempt on the life of Donald Trump, television commentators were praising the quick response of the Secret Service. Agents shielded the former president with their bodies, while snipers "neutralized" the shooter within seconds with a kill shot to the head. "I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin," Trump posted on his Truth social account. "I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear." A remarkable New York Times photo appeared to capture the path of the bullet as it passed Trump's head, which, by sheer luck, happened just as Trump turned ever so slightly, resulting in the bullet grazing him instead of likely killing him. But as the events of the day unfolded, it became clear that a manifest failure of security allowed an assassin to come within an inch of taking the former, and possibly future, president’s life. “You don’t have to be a security expert to see the failures here,” House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH) said on CNN. “The fact that the perimeter was not secure, really, is just astounding, I think, to anyone who looks at it. And the fact that he was able to get off shots where he had already been identified, his position had been identified, just really confusing and astounding.” SECRET SERVICE UNDER CLOUD OF QUESTIONS AFTER FOILED TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT FAILURE TO SECURE THE ROOF: The shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, a registered Republican and member of a local gun club, was able to move from roof to roof along a row of industrial buildings belonging to AGR International Inc. until he had a concealed perch, with a clear line of sight roughly 150 meters from where Trump was on stage. It's a distance at which "U.S. Army recruits must hit a scaled human-sized silhouette to qualify with the M-16 rifle," the Associated Press noted. "The AR-15, like the shooter at the Trump rally had, is the semi-automatic civilian version of the military M-16." Despite the rooftop providing the perfect sniper's position, the location was left unsecured by the Secret Service, local law enforcement, or even any private security. "Look, at the end of the day, this is a shot that your basic training boot camp soldier is requested to make within their nine-week period. This is one of the easiest shots, and they train all the way out till 300 or 500," former sniper Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) told host Jesse Watters on Fox News yesterday. “When I was doing the counter-sniper, it wasn’t with the United States Army, it was actually when I was with the State Department and was doing this exact thing,” Mills said. “The bottom line is that if you saw someone climbing onto a roof that you hadn’t authorized any clearance on, it’s got a clear line of sight. It’s exactly adjacent to the shooting where the president was sitting, and you’re talking about a pop shot, and you’ve got people yelling, and there should have been comms.” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) in a post on X and a series of interviews promised that "Congress will conduct a full investigation of the tragedy to determine where there were lapses in security." "It is shocking," Johnson said on CNN. "I think pretty clearly, there was a security lapse. We need to find out, for example, why were drones not used just in the area? I’ve not gotten a satisfactory answer on that yet. I mean, that seems pretty obvious that you would do that so you could see people on rooftops." "This one from the vantage point of the stage was just seemingly an easy thing to monitor and they didn’t," Of course, we’ve all heard the eyewitness accounts of people on the ground who saw a guy with a gun on the rooftop." JOHNSON PROMISES INVESTIGATION INTO SECRET SERVICE SECURITY BREACH AT TRUMP RALLY FAILURE TO REACT: One of the most frustrating examples of the lack of coordination and inaction came after numerous people in the crowd were alarmed to see a man crawling on the roof and pointed him out to local police. Instead of alerting the Secret Service to the potential threat, and getting Trump off the stage while it was assessed, a police officer opted to climb up to the roof and check it. Seeing the officer, Crooks pointed his rifle at him, and the officer retreated, according to the Associated Press. Alerted that his position had been compromised, Crooks took his shot and was killed seconds later. "The minute that local law enforcement — who apparently had a rifle pointed on — there should have been an emergency frequency comms channel that they could have said, 'we have a shooter on the roof, shooter on the roof,'" said Mills. "Secret Service should have rushed the stage and immediately took the president and took him off and then responded with the counter-sniper." “I’ve directed an independent review of the national security at yesterday’s rally to assess exactly what happened. And we’ll share the results of that independent review with the American people as well,” President Joe Biden said yesterday. In addition, Biden has directed the Secret Service to provide Trump “with every resource, capability, and protective measure necessary to ensure his continued safety,” as well as a review of all security measures for the Republican National Convention, which starts today. Meanwhile, “Let the FBI do their job,” Biden urged. “Everyone, please, don’t make assumptions about his motives or his affiliations.” "The American people can rest assured that we will leave no stone unturned as we work to get to the bottom of what happened yesterday," FBI director Christopher Wray said at a Sunday briefing. "The shooter may be deceased, but the investigation is very much ongoing …What I can say is that we have committed the full force of the FBI to this investigation." BIDEN ORDERS INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT Good Monday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre's Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn't work, shoot us an email and we'll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE HAPPENING TODAY: The Republican National Convention will begin as scheduled today in Milwaukee, with former President Trump making a point of saying the attempt on his life will not change his plans. "Based on yesterday's terrible events, I was going to delay my trip to Wisconsin and the Republican National Convention by two days, but I have just decided not to let this force a change to any scheduling," Trump said in a campaign email. "I am Donald J. Trump! I will be giving an acceptance speech for president. I will win this election. The first day was originally planned to focus on the economy, with speakers arguing that Trump's plans for sweeping tariffs and lower taxes would further bolster the already-hot economy. "It was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening," Trump said on Truth Social. "This moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win," Trump in his trademark use of capitalized words. Trump is scheduled to accept the nomination acceptance in a speech on Thursday. But he's yet to reveal his choice for running mate, who is penciled in to give a speech Wednesday night. 'NO CHANGE' TO SECRET SERVICE PLANS FOR RNC CONVENTION AFTER SHOCK TRUMP SHOOTING BIDEN POSTPONES TEXAS TRIP: Meanwhile, President Joe Biden, who had planned to mark the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act with a visit to the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas, has put off the trip and added an interview with NBC's Lester Holt to his schedule for today. Later, he departs for Las Vegas, Nevada, where he's scheduled to address the NAACP National Convention, delivering remarks on advancing racial justice and equity for all Americans. In an Oval Office address to the nation last night, Biden appealed for Americans to "lower the temperature in our politics and to remember, while we may disagree, we are not enemies." “You know, the political rhetoric in this country has gotten very heated. It’s time to cool it down. And we all have a responsibility to do that,” Biden said. “The Republican convention will start tomorrow. I have no doubt they’ll criticize my record and offer their own vision for this country,” he said. “I’ll be traveling this week, making the case for our record and my vision of the country. I’ll continue to speak out strongly for our democracy, stand up for our Constitution and the rule of law, to call for action at the ballot box, no violence on our streets. That’s how democracy should work.” BIDEN CALLS FOR LOWERING OF 'TEMPERATURE' IN POLITICS DURING OVAL OFFICE ADDRESS THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: Secret Service under cloud of questions after foiled Trump assassination attempt Washington Examiner: Biden orders independent investigation into Trump assassination attempt Washington Examiner: Johnson promises investigation into Secret Service Security breach at Trump rally Washington Examiner: Biden calls for lowering of 'temperature' in politics during Oval Office address Washington Examiner: 'No change' to Secret Service plans for RNC convention after shock Trump shooting Washington Examiner: SALENA ZITO: ‘I was four feet away’ as the shooting started Washington Examiner: Why Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam aren't covered in NATO's defense pact Washington Examiner: Pressure builds on Biden to loosen restrictions on Ukraine use of US weapons Washington Examiner: Israel and Hamas making progress on ceasefire deal but work remains: Biden Washington Examiner: Biden edges out Trump in post-debate poll Washington Examiner: Smith pleads with Trump judge to ignore recent Supreme Court opinion on immunity Washington Examiner: Biden border 'bloodbath' prompts Republicans to change immigration platform Washington Examiner: GOP subpoenas Mayorkas over terrorists arrested at southern border Washington Examiner: RNC convention to feature 'angel' families as Trump hammers Biden on migrant crime Washington Examiner: Secret Service rejects accusations that security was diverted from Trump to Jill Biden's rally Washington Examiner: Opinion: Congress must summon AT&T CEO John Stankey over catastrophic data leak Washington Examiner: Opinion: Trump shows courage and Secret Service skill amid campaign rally attack Defense One: How Federal Agencies Are Responding to the Trump Assassination Attempt New York Times: Ukraine Is Targeting Crimea, a Critical Base for Russia's Invasion Politico: NATO Soothes Ukraine's Frayed Nerves After Rough Summit Last Year Wall Street Journal: US, Germany Foil Russian Plot to Kill Defense Executive AP: China, Russia start joint naval drills, days after NATO allies called Beijing a Ukraine war enabler Stars and Stripes: Austin Talks With Russian Defense Minister For Second Time In A Month AP: Israeli Strike Targets Hamas Military Commander and Kills at Least 90 in Southern Gaza Stars and Stripes: Air Force Ospreys Withdraw from Japan Exercise, Eight Months After Fatal Crash AP: Sister of North Korean leader Kim hints at resuming flying trash balloons toward South Korea New York Times: The Chinese Base That Isn't There SpaceNews: US Military to Award $3 Billion Contract for AI-Driven Intelligence Defense One: Several Pentagon IT Programs Still Lack a Cyber Strategy, Watchdog Finds Defense News: One-Third of US Military Could Be Robotic by 2039: Milley DefenseScoop: An Argument Against Establishing a US Cyber Force Air & Space Forces Magazine: The Pentagon Needs a Strategy for Deep Space Air & Space Forces Magazine: Get Space-Based Targeting Data 'to Right People at Right Time,' Says Nominee Breaking Defense: Let It Go (Long): France Joins Germany, Italy, and Poland in New ELSA Long-Range Missile Project Defense News: Italy Air Force Eyes New Tanker Competition After Dropping Boeing Buy Yonhap: U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Says S. Korea’s Acquisition Of Nuclear Submarines Could Be Considered In Future: Yoon’s Office Navy Times: Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group Operating In The Middle East Stars and Stripes: 'Sailors Never Flinched': Eisenhower Strike Group Welcomed Home After Deployment Spent Battling Houthi Attacks Air & Space Forces Magazine: Warrant Officer Selection Rates Will Be Low with Fierce Competition, Few Spots The Cipher Brief: Analysis: After the Summit, A NATO Worth Celebrating — or Too Weak For the Moment? The Cipher Brief: Opinion: NATO Summit Leaves Out Georgia at a Critical JunctureThe Cipher Brief: Opinion: Former Estonian President: NATO Falls Short of "Moral Obligation" to Defend Ukraine THE CALENDAR: MONDAY | JULY 15 10 a.m. — Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies "Aerospace Nation" discussion with Lt. Gen. Andrew Gebara, deputy chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/event/lt-gen-andrew-gebara-an/ 1 p.m EDT Milwaukee, Wis. — Politico and CNN "Grill discussion:” with Robert O’Brien, former U.S. national security adviser https://www.politico.com/live-events/2024/07/15/cnn-politico-grill 1:30 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Transformation at the DOD,” with Radha Plumb, chief digital and artificial intelligence officer at the Defense Department; and Gregory Allen, director of the CSIS Center for AI and Advanced Technologies https://www.csis.org/events/ai-transformation-dod 6:45 p.m. EDT Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wis. — Republican National Committee holds the 2024 Republican National Convention July 15-18. TUESDAY | JULY 16 10 a.m. — D-Fend Solutions virtual discussion: “Small Drones – Big Impact: Protecting Our Airspace Before the Big One Hits,” with retired Air Force Col. Dawn Zoldi https://tinyurl.com/5fja25ms 10:30 a.m. EDT — Milwaukee, Wis. — American Jewish Committee discussion: “Israel and the Path to Peace.” https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ajc-at-the-2024-political-conventions 1:00 p.m. — Hudson Institute in-person and virtual discussion: "Leading in the Cyber Competition with China," with Israel Soong, director, East Asia and Pacific cyber policy, National Security Council; and Miles Yu, senior fellow and director, China Center https://www.hudson.org/events/leading-cyber-competition-china 3 p.m. EDT Grand Hall, Milwaukee, Wis. — European Union discussion: “Transatlantic Approaches to China: Meeting the Major Challenge of the 21st Century: RVVP: [email protected] 2 p.m. — U.S. Institute of Peace discussion: “Why Peace Remains Elusive on the Korean Peninsula: Reassessing the U.S. Approach to North Korea 70 Years After the 1954 Geneva Conference,” with Mark Tokola, vice president of the Korea Economic Institute of America; retired, Lt. Gen. Dan Leaf, former deputy command of U.S. Pacific Command; and Frank Aum, USIP Northeast Asia senior expert https://www.usip.org/events/why-peace-remains-elusive 4 p.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual and in-person book discussion: The New Cold War: How the Contest Between the US and China Will Shape Our Century, with author Sir Robin Niblett, distinguished fellow, Chatham House; and John Hamre, CSIS President and CEO, and Langone Chair in American Leadership https://www.csis.org/events/new-cold-war-conversation-sir-robin-niblett 6 p.m. EDT Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wis. — Republican National Committee holds 2024 Republican National Convention WEDNESDAY | JULY 17 4 p.m. Aspen, Colo. — 2024 Aspen Security Forum in-person and virtual discussion: "The Next Gen Industrial Base," with Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander, U.S. Space Command: Lt. Gen. Jeff Kruse, director, Defense Intelligence Agency; and Doug Beck, director, Defense Innovation Unit. aspeninstitute.wufoo.com/forms 4 p.m. — Franciscan Action Network virtual discussion: “Nuclear Weapons: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You,” with James Acton, co-director of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Nuclear Policy Program; Ira Helfand, member of steering group of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons; and Maylene Hughes, regional grassroots organizing and policy coordinator at Physicians for Social Responsibility in Los Angeles https://franciscanactionnetwork.salsalabs.org/nuclearweaponswebinar 6:45 p.m. EDT Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wis. — Republican National Committee holds the 2024 Republican National Convention, with Donald Trump Jr. delivering remarks 8 p.m. — Jews United for Democracy virtual discussion: “Defining Success in Ukraine and Gaza,” with Richard Haass, former State Department director of policy planning and former president of the Council on Foreign Relations; and Patt Morrison, columnist for the Los Angeles Times https://www.jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/event THURSDAY | JULY 18 9 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: “How Does the Taiwan Public View the U.S. and China?” with James Lee, assistant research fellow at Academia Sinica’s Institute of European and American Studies; Wen-Chin Wu, research fellow at Academic Sinica’s Institute of Political Science; Hsin-Hsin Pan, associate professor of sociology at Soochow University; and Chien-Huei Wu, research fellow at Academia Sinica’s Institute of European and American Studies https://www.csis.org/events/how-does-taiwan-public-view-us-and-china 11:10 a.m. — Aspen, Colo. — 2024 Aspen Security Forum in-person and virtual discussion: "NATO, Europe, and Ukraine, with Gen. Christopher Cavoli, supreme allied commander Europe and commander, U.S. European Command https://aspeninstitute.wufoo.com/forms 12:30 p.m. Aspen, Colo. — 2024 Aspen Security Forum in-person and virtual discussion: "Resiliency and National Security," with Army Secretary Christine Wormuth https://aspeninstitute.wufoo.com/forms 1:05 p.m. — Aspen, Colo. — 2024 Aspen Security Forum in-person and virtual fireside chat with Gen. Laura Richardson, commander, U.S. Southern Command https://aspeninstitute.wufoo.com/forms 6:45 EDT Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wis. — Republican National Committee holds the 2024 Republican National Convention, with Former President Donald Trump delivering remarks FRIDAY | JULY 19 9 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW — Center for Strategic and International Studies discussion: "U.S.-China relation,” with U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns https://www.csis.org/events/fireside-discussion-us-ambassador-china-nicholas-burns 10:30 a.m. — Center for a New American Security virtual discussion: “Adapting NATO’s Nuclear Posture to Current Threats,” with Vipin Narang, acting assistant defense secretary for space policy; and Stacie Pettyjohn, director of the CNAS Defense Program https://www.cnas.org/events/virtual-event-adapting-natos-nuclear-posture | | "My fellow Americans, I want to speak to you tonight about the need for us to lower the temperature in our politics and to remember, while we may disagree, we are not enemies. We're neighbors. We're friends, coworkers, citizens. And, most importantly, we are fellow Americans. And we must stand together." | President Joe Biden's opening statement in an address to the nation from the Oval Office on Sunday night |
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