Washington (AP) For what he described as the agency’s utter failure to secure the rally where a shooter opened fire on Donald Trump during his presidential campaign last summer, the acting head of the Secret Service is vowing accountability.
In front of a bipartisan House task panel looking into how the Secret Service, which guards the nation’s top leaders, handled two assassination attempts on Trump in as many months, Ronald Rowe is scheduled to testify on Thursday. Before the hearing, some of Rowe’s comments were made public.
The task force’s probe is one of several reviews and investigations into the Butler, Pennsylvania, shooting that took place in July that have criticized the beleaguered agency for its poor communications and preparedness. Changes that boosted Trump’s safeguards in the Secret Service prior to the Republican’s victory in the November election and the resignation of the agency’s previous chief are already examples of the impact.
Trump hasn’t announced his choice to head the organization yet.
According to a different independent commission looking into that assassination attempt, the Secret Service requires new leadership and that unless significant changes are made to the way candidates are secured, another Butler could and will occur. One rallygoer was killed, two others were injured, and Trump was hurt in the ear.
According to Rowe, the agency’s internal inquiry found that several staffers had failed. He pointed out that the level of advance work performed by those who visit a site prior to an event and organize how the Secret Service will safeguard a person fell short of agency requirements.
In the prepared remarks, Rowe states that it is critical that we acknowledge the seriousness of our failure on July 13, 2024. To be clear, accountability will take place, and it is already happening.
He did not provide particular details, such as the number of employees who would face disciplinary action or whether any would be let go.
This is Rowe’s first public appearance and the task force’s second public hearing. By December 13, a report detailing its conclusions and suggestions is expected to be made public.
The reason why buildings close to the rally that had a direct view of the stage were not protected beforehand has been the focus of numerous inquiries. As Trump spoke, Thomas Crooks, the shooter, scaled the roof of a nearby building and began shooting.
A Secret Service countersniper killed Crooks, and Trump was hurried offstage while surrounded by agents.
Communication issues between the Secret Service and state and local law enforcement officers, who frequently help the agency secure major events, were also made public by the shooting.
Two months later, Trump was the target of another assassination attempt in Florida, which further exacerbated the agency’s problems.
On September 15, Ryan Wesley Routhis was charged for waiting for Trump in the shrubbery of one of Trump’s golf clubs in West Palm Beach, Florida. The possible attack was stopped when a Secret Service member noticed the gun sticking out of the bushes and started shooting. Routh didn’t shoot at all.
The agency has argued that their response is considerably more consistent with the intended functionality of its defensive systems. How Routh was able to set up camp for so long at a golf course that Trump frequently frequented while in town has been questioned by critics.
The ability of the Secret Service to execute what is frequently referred to as a zero failure operation has been the subject of considerable examination ever since the first assassination attempt.
Kimberly Cheatler, the then-secret service director, resigned a day after appearing before a congressional hearing where she was scolded for hours by both Republicans and Democrats, and just over a week after the July shooting.
After that, Rowe was named acting director.
Rowe outlined his efforts to effect change in his address to the bipartisan task force.
Bringing much-needed reform to the Secret Service has been my sole emphasis. to act as a change agent. must refute preconceived notions, Rowe stated.
Among the points he emphasized were:
The agency enhanced its use of drone technology to provide a high-level picture of venues and increased the number of employees assigned to Trump.
To prevent some of the communications breakdowns from the Butler demonstration, Secret Service agents must be present at the same site as state and local law enforcement while providing protection.
Rowe said he was prioritizing mental health and wellness programs and had appointed a chief wellness officer this week, acknowledging the strains on agents and officers defending an expanding number of individuals in a more polarizing political climate.
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