Security lapses in focus

WASHINGTON — The shooting of former US president Donald Trump at an election rally raised immediate questions about security failures by the Secret Service, which provides former presidents including Trump with lifetime protection.

Hours after the attack, the Oversight Committee in the Republican-led US House of Representatives summoned US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify at a hearing scheduled for July 22.

"Americans demand answers about the assassination attempt of President Trump," the panel said in a statement on social media.

The attack is certain to lead to a review of Trump's security, and going forward he will likely be provided with a level of protection more akin to a sitting president, said Joseph LaSorsa, a former Secret Service agent who served on the presidential detail.

"There will be an intensive review "of the incident and "there's going to be a massive realignment", LaSorsa said.

The Secret Service said it recently added "protective resources and capabilities" to Trump's security detail, without providing further details.

A retired agent who worked in protective services, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the incident should spark an internal review, and ideally an external one too.

"The gravity of the situation demands thorough scrutiny to prevent such failures in the future and to ensure accountability on all levels," said the former agent.

Agencies Via Xinhua