Emergency Episode: Former CIA Agent On Trump Assassination Attempt - Mike Baker

Whose Fault Was This? (0s)

• The assassination attempt on former President Trump was primarily a logistical failure due to security protocol breakdowns, including a lack of personnel with a clear line of sight to the stage from rooftops.
• Ongoing investigations by Congress, the Secret Service, and the Department of Homeland Security are examining issues with command and control, communications, and the sniper team's response.
• Concerns have been raised regarding the security package provided to Trump, considering his status as the presumptive nominee for the upcoming election.
• Trump's actions, such as targeting Iranian proxies, may have heightened the risk of assassination attempts against him, leading to increased security measures due to threats from Iran and its proxies.
• The divisive political discourse, including demonizing language and comparisons to Hitler, may have incited irrational individuals to take such rhetoric literally, contributing to the assassination attempt.

Was There Less Secret Service Than Usual? (8m16s)

• Due to the demands of the election season, the Secret Service relied heavily on Homeland Security contractors and local law enforcement during the Trump rally in Ohio.
• A breakdown in communication and coordination occurred between the police and the counter-sniper team during the incident.
• A former CIA agent criticized the lack of preparedness and suggested that the security detail could have been better prepared.
• There was a proposal in Congress to reduce or eliminate Secret Service protection for Trump after his conviction, which the former CIA agent considered irrational and politically motivated.
• The Secret Service increased security for former President Trump in June but only recently approved protection for Robert F. Kennedy.
• Kennedy campaigned without security despite coming from a family with a history of assassinations.
• The Democrats may have been reluctant to acknowledge Kennedy as a legitimate candidate and wanted him to withdraw from the race.
• Providing Secret Service protection is seen as a formal endorsement of a candidate's legitimacy.
• The Secret Service is reviewing security measures for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

What an Internal Investigation Would Look Like (15m37s)

• An internal review (hot wash) was conducted by the Secret Service following the assassination attempt on former President Trump.
• There is finger-pointing between agencies involved in the security operation, indicating a lack of coordination and cooperation.
• Government agencies need to rebuild trust by increasing transparency and accountability.
• Heightened security measures are necessary for upcoming events like the RNC and DNC due to the ongoing threat of future attacks.
• The routine nature of executive protection work can lead to mental challenges, potentially resulting in errors and reduced attention from Secret Service personnel.
• The body language of the Secret Service counter-sniper on the roof during the assassination attempt suggests a lack of combat experience.
• To avoid burnout and maintain optimal performance, the Secret Service requires additional higher-quality personnel.
• Constant training is essential but can be costly and time-consuming, potentially leading to neglect in other government operations.

Will Anyone Get Fired From This? (21m33s)

• The Secret Service and Homeland Security heads are unlikely to face consequences for their handling of the Trump assassination attempt.
• Political discourse is expected to return to normal after a brief period of reflection.
• Trump's RNC nomination speech is anticipated to be more subdued due to his recent experience.
• The Democrats' strategy of portraying Trump as a fascist may become challenging to maintain following the assassination attempt.
• The public's short attention span could enable the Democrats to shift away from their previous rhetoric about Trump.

The Crucial Role That X Played (26m33s)

• X Twitter provided accurate information about the recent incident involving Trump, unlike other platforms that spread misinformation.
• Conspiracy theories and criticisms about the incident's handling have emerged.
• Despite criticism, Trump showed composure and faced the crowd, revealing his instincts in handling the situation.
• Trump's resilience contrasts with previous discussions about his fragility and mental acuity issues.
• Republicans may use the imagery of Trump's resilience to their advantage, but caution is needed due to the fatality involved.
• The Trump campaign should focus on policies and avoid unnecessary provocations to win over moderates and independents.

Will People View Trump More Favourably? (34m42s)

• The assassination attempt may positively impact Trump's image among undecided voters, especially those who are not politically engaged.
• The contrast between Trump's post-shooting composure and his debate performance could influence moderates and independents.
• If Trump can appear more moderate and focused on issues, he might win back some moderate and independent voters who abandoned him in the last campaign.
• The Democrats may be relieved as the focus shifts away from Biden's weaknesses and mental fitness.
• However, the fragility and lack of gusto displayed by Trump in the past may still be a concern for voters.
• Republicans can benefit by maintaining a mature and standoffish approach to messaging around the incident.
• Trump now has a "victim card" which his loyal supporters view him as being victimized by the law and the Biden administration.
• The incident challenges the left's moral high ground on not being violent, but they may not be concerned about this perception.
• The left quickly pointed out that the shooter was a registered Republican.

Everything We Know About the Shooter (39m3s)

• The 20-year-old Pennsylvania shooter used a long gun legally purchased by his father six months prior.
• Authorities are examining the shooter's electronic devices.
• Discussions have arisen regarding the lack of training for local law enforcement in firearms handling and active shooter situations.
• The Secret Service and counter-sniper teams should have been actively involved in decision-making during the incident.
• The ongoing investigation into the assassination attempt prevents definitive conclusions about the motive or consequences.
• The incident may have provided President Biden with a reprieve from negative attention.
• The Democrats' efforts to remove Trump from office may be affected by recent events, including the debate and assassination attempt, making it harder to push for his removal due to a sense of needing to support Biden.
• The past year has been marked by significant events, including international conflicts, political discourse, the assassination attempt, and the ongoing pandemic.

Mike’s Thoughts on JD Vance (44m51s)

• JD Vance, a Trump loyalist and author of "Hillbilly Elegy," has been selected as Trump's vice presidential running mate.
• Despite his lack of political experience, Vance's appeal to Trump's base may not significantly expand the voting block.
• The decision to choose Vance was not influenced by the recent assassination attempt on Trump.
• Personal dynamics and past conflicts may have played a role in selecting Vance over other potential candidates.
• The significance of the VP pick is debatable, with some arguing that it has little impact on the election's outcome.
• The focus should be on running against President Harris rather than Biden, as Biden's ability to complete a full term is uncertain.
• The 2024 US presidential election is expected to be close, with Trump's supporters remaining passionate despite the assassination attempt.
• The Democrats may reconsider Biden's suitability as the election intensifies.

What World Leaders Had to Say (51m18s)

• World leaders condemned the political violence following the assassination attempt on US President Biden.
• China's response was muted, expressing well wishes but avoiding direct involvement.
• European leaders condemned the violence, with some suggesting that opposition rhetoric may have played a role.
• Russia's response was minimal.
• The incident raised concerns about the US protection detail's ability to prevent such attacks.
• The White House portrayed Biden as sharp and in control during the NATO Summit despite concerns about his mental acuity.
• The media has been accused of covering up signs of Biden's decline, with Ben Usher's article "Common Knowledge" highlighting the importance of collective awareness.
• The revelation that many people were unaware of Biden's mental decline outside of certain online communities has raised questions about the power of legacy media in shaping public perception and filtering information.
• Critics argue that the media is complicit in hiding information and then quickly changing its stance once the information becomes public, with pundits and media figures abruptly reversing their positions without facing consequences.

Should Trump Hire Private Security? (59m36s)

• The Secret Service should be transparent about the steps taken during the assassination attempt on Trump and how they plan to prevent similar incidents in the future.
• Accountability should be enforced for negligence or complacency at the highest levels of the Secret Service.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives should not compromise operational security, and the most qualified individuals should be chosen for positions regardless of gender or other factors.
• The Secret Service should acknowledge and address potential issues rather than denying any lowering of standards.
• Qualifications should be prioritized over diversity initiatives when selecting Secret Service agents, as the pool of capable individuals for certain jobs is limited.
• Improvements made to the Secret Service may not affect the 2024 election since agents assigned to Trump's detail are likely long-time agency members.
• Assigning Secret Service detail to RFK Jr. could divert resources and attention from other important matters.
• Despite his flaws, Trump's charisma and image resonate with people, making him a formidable political figure.

How “That Photo” of Trump Was Taken on Saturday (1h6m59s)

• Evan, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner who resembles a young Jocko Willink, took the viral photos of Trump during the shooting.
• Evan used Rayban Meta glasses to capture high-quality video footage of the incident.
• Doug Mills, a photographer from The New York Times, also captured similar photos from the back of the stage.
• Mills had the foresight to start recording before the shooting began and seamlessly adjusted his camera settings during the chaos.
• A woman in the audience near Trump was seen raising her phone to record the incident as soon as the shooting started.
• Cory Remsburg reportedly threw himself on top of his family to shield them from gunfire, taking a fatal shot to the head.
• This selfless act is reminiscent of the Aurora, Colorado shooting where boyfriends protected their girlfriends in a similar manner.
• Republicans should handle the situation with caution and avoid exploiting the tragedy for political gain.
• It is important to focus on the issues and move forward rather than dwelling on the incident.

Where to Find Mike (1h11m17s)

• Mike Baker can be found on:
  • MB company man
  • The President's Daily Brief podcast
  • The Situation Report (weekend TV show)
• Mike Baker, a former CIA agent, discusses the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
• Baker believes that the assassination attempt was a real threat and not a hoax.
• Baker discusses the possible motives behind the assassination attempt, including political motivations and personal vendettas.
• Baker also discusses the potential consequences of the assassination attempt, including increased political polarization and violence.