The acting director of the Secret Service, Ronald Rowe, has publicly acknowledged the agency’s “abject failure” to adequately secure the Pennsylvania rally where a gunman opened fire on Donald Trump last July, The Associated Press reports.
Testifying before a bipartisan House task force investigating the incident, Rowe promised accountability for the multiple failures identified in the agency’s internal investigation.
Rowe’s prepared remarks, released ahead of Thursday’s hearing, detail shortcomings in advance work – the planning phase crucial to ensuring effective protection – that fell below agency standards.
The task force’s inquiry is one of several investigations into the Butler, Pennsylvania shooting, where gunman Thomas Crooks fired upon Trump from a nearby rooftop. One rallygoer was killed, and Trump sustained a minor ear injury. The incident, along with a subsequent attempted assassination in Florida two months later, has exposed serious flaws within the Secret Service.
The investigations have largely focused on the failure to secure buildings with clear lines of sight to the rally stage. Furthermore, communication breakdowns between the Secret Service and local and state law enforcement were also highlighted. In the Florida incident, Ryan Wesley Routh was apprehended before he could fire upon Trump, raising concerns about security protocols at Trump’s golf course.
The July shooting led to the resignation of then-Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who faced intense criticism from both Democrats and Republicans during a congressional hearing. Rowe’s testimony marks his first public address on the matter since assuming the acting director role.
In an effort to address the shortcomings, Rowe highlighted several changes implemented by the agency:
• Increased staffing for Trump’s protection detail.
• Expanded use of drone technology for enhanced surveillance.
• Mandatory co-location of Secret Service personnel with state and local law enforcement to improve communication.
• A new focus on agent and officer mental health and wellness, including the recent hiring of a chief wellness officer.
The House task force is expected to release a comprehensive report on its findings and recommendations by December 13.
