An Australian who has trained some of America’s top security experts has revealed the hard lessons former President Donald Trump’s team will have learned from his assassination attempt.
Scott Taylor, founder of Praesidium Risk and Resilience, believes the Trump team will refocus on its stricter evacuation procedures and security checks following the shooting in Pennsylvania on Saturday night local time.
Trump, 78, was interrupted mid-speech by at least eight shots from gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20.
The former president suffered an ear injury but quickly stood up and chanted “fight” while holding his fist in the air.
While Taylor admitted the image of a bloodied and defiant Trump just seconds after the shooting would likely become a “defining moment” of his campaign, he said it showed critical security failures.
“At that time there could have been a second offender, there could have been an explosive device. It was not a safe environment,” he told Seven News on Sunday night.
‘They should have kept him down and pushed him to the end.
“In my opinion, I think the media and politics are overtaking security.”
Scott Taylor, founder of Praesidium Risk and Resilience, believes Donald Trump’s security needs to refocus on his evacuation procedure following Saturday’s assassination attempt
Mr. Taylor also offered insight into how Mr. Trump’s security team is likely to learn from the failed assassination attempt.
“I think there will definitely be some additional external and radio controls, also for elevated areas,” he said.
“I think there will be an additional refocus on some of the training to make sure those elements are practicing to ensure it’s a smooth evacuation as well.”
While it took the Secret Service just three seconds to reach Crooks, how he managed to shoot the former president is a major concern, according to Taylor.
“Ihere “There should have been multiple elements that should have been addressed as part of the initial assessment and ongoing crowd monitoring and management,” he said.
‘The concern here is the lack of protection around that elevated position.’
The critical reflection comes after statements by Australian leaders from both parties in Parliament, who condemned the use of violence in politics and expressed relief that Trump was not seriously injured.
Premier Anthony Albanese called the incident worrying and confrontational at an early news conference.
“Like all Australians, I was shocked by the horrific scenes at former President Trump’s campaign event in Pennsylvania,” he told reporters.
‘Let’s be clear: the people at this event, the candidate, the crowd, and the free press covering the event were all participating in the democratic process.
‘In Australia, as in the United States, the essence and purpose of our democracy is that we can express our opinions, debate our disagreements and resolve our differences peacefully.
“Any act of violence is an affront to that right and must be condemned unequivocally.”
Mr Taylor (pictured) also condemned Mr Trump’s decision to stand up just seconds after the shooting, explaining there could have been a second shooter.
Trump suffered an ear injury while one bystander was killed and two were seriously injured in the assassination attempt.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton said: “I send my best wishes to former President Trump following this shocking assassination attempt. It is a relief to see his statement and I wish him a speedy recovery.”
‘My thoughts and prayers are with the deceased spectator and the other injured.
“Violence has no place in society.”
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison also weighed in on the incident.
“Saddened, shocked and horrified by the attempted assassination of President Trump,” he said.
‘We pray today for him and his family, as well as for all those who risk their lives to protect those who participate in public life.
‘Let us also pray for the United States and its people, a great democracy and our great friend, in these difficult times.’
Australia’s ambassador to the United States and former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issued a statement shortly after the assassination attempt.
“All Australians are shocked by the attack on former President Donald Trump at his campaign rally in Pennsylvania this afternoon,” Rudd wrote.
“Violence has no place in our democracies. It is a relief to see that President Trump is safe. Our thoughts are with him and his family.”