Jim Copenhaver, 74, and David Dutch, 57, claim "100% negligence" by the Secret Service during Trump's assassination attempt and are considering a lawsuit for damages.

According to a report by Reuters, two men who survived a shooting during an assassination attempt on Donald Trump in July at a rally in Pennsylvania assert that the U.S. Secret Service failed to protect both them and the Republican presidential nominee. Jim Copenhaver, 74, and David Dutch, 57, shared their sentiments in an interview with NBC News, marking their first public comments since the incident, which resulted in the death of one spectator and injuries to Trump, including a gunshot wound to his ear, before a Secret Service sniper neutralized the assailant.

“I believe there was 100% negligence on the part of the Secret Service, and likely everyone involved in establishing that security, right down to inter-department communications,” Dutch stated. “The negligence was vast. It was terrible.” Copenhaver added, “It wouldn’t have happened had it been secure.” When asked if they believed the Secret Service had let them down as well as Trump, Dutch replied emphatically, “Big time. The whole security setup was poor.”

Both men were injured in the shooting, with Dutch sustaining a bullet wound to his liver, while Copenhaver was shot in the triceps and abdomen. Their attorneys have indicated plans to file lawsuits seeking damages, though they are still evaluating against whom to pursue their cases. Copenhaver detailed how his injuries have led to ongoing health issues, stating he has lost 30 pounds, now walks with a cane, and continues to experience pain. Dutch mentioned that he also struggles with the aftermath of his bullet wound, having lost 25 pounds and being unable to drive or lift more than 10 pounds.

The Secret Service has faced significant criticism and scrutiny for the lapses that allowed the assassination attempt in Butler to occur. An internal investigation uncovered inadequate communication among those responsible for protecting the former president, along with shoddy advanced planning that facilitated the attack. “I was just angry that the whole situation even happened,” Dutch expressed, adding, “It should have never happened.”

Following the rally shooting, Kimberly Cheatle resigned from her position as the director of the Secret Service. Approximately two months later, the agency reported that it thwarted another assassination attempt against Trump when it detected a man aiming a rifle at the former president’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, while Trump was playing there.

Recently, Trump returned to Butler, Pennsylvania, for a rally where billionaire Elon Musk also spoke. During this event, Trump faced backlash for comments he made regarding the 50-year-old spectator, Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the July rally while trying to protect his family. Trump remarked, “He had the best seat in the house,” recounting how Comperatore had told his wife and family in the car, “He’s going to invite me up.” Trump added that, “Little did anyone realize Corey would be on the stage three months later in an almost immortal position,” referencing Comperatore’s firefighter jacket and helmet that were displayed behind him. This was one of the rare instances in which Trump acknowledged individuals other than himself in the context of the assassination attempt in Butler.