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Last Update: 09/22/2026 at 11:34 PM EST
Secret Service Counter-Drone Security
Coverage from DroneXL, Walaw, and others
The U.
S. Secret Service’s counter-drone posture spans detection and interdiction systems, event preparation, operator training, and rules for responding to civilian and hostile drones near protectees. Government audits have examined earlier incidents involving Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders, and Joe Biden, as well as the July 2024 Butler, Pennsylvania, attack in which a drone surveyed Donald Trump’s rally site. Findings described missed detection, equipment and staffing problems, overdue policy reviews, and weak documentation of lessons learned. The agency has also discussed adapting protection to harder-to-detect systems, including dark and fiber-optic-controlled drones.
Looking Back
72 Day Timeline
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All Articles9 articles
Important
Secret Service counter-drone teams directed by National Special Security Event status will enforce the FAA P-56 prohibited area over Washington's National Mall on July 4.
6/30/2026 • Counter-Drone & Airspace Security • General
A U.S. government audit found that the Secret Service failed to adequately address civilian-drone risks before Thomas Matthew Crooks used a drone near Donald Trump’s July 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
9/9/2026 • Counter-Drone & Airspace Security • General
On July 13, 2024, Thomas Matthew Crooks used a drone to survey Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, before the assassination attempt.
9/9/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
DHS inspector general reported July 13, 2024 Trump assassination attempt counter-UAS failures including undetected Thomas Crooks drone flight.
7/8/2026 • Counter-Drone & Airspace Security • General
The Government Accountability Office found in 2026 that the U.S. Secret Service lacked documented explanations for unchanged drone policies after incidents involving protectees across the United States.
9/4/2026 • Counter-Drone & Airspace Security • General
Interesting
The Government Accountability Office reported in 2025 that the U.S. Secret Service failed to consistently document or update protective policies after drone incidents, including the 2024 Butler, Pennsylvania, rally.
9/3/2026 • Counter-Drone & Airspace Security • General
Secret Service officials said counter-drone detection methods will expand around the White House and presidential travel after a foiled June UFC plot cited drones.
7/22/2026 • Counter-Drone & Airspace Security • General
Additional
The U.S. Secret Service says counter-drone deployments expanded after the 2024 Butler, Pennsylvania incident while drone detection needs grow for presidential travel and events.
7/23/2026 • Counter-Drone & Airspace Security • General
U.S. Secret Service leaders reported a sharp increase in threat investigations and described counter-drone systems for White House protection after a recent Trump assassination attempt.
7/23/2026 • Counter-Drone & Airspace Security • General