The Secret Service is offering new details on the internal investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Acting Director Ronald Rowe addressed reporters today, admitting significant lapses in security protocols during the incident at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last month.
Rowe detailed that Trump’s security detail was unaware of the shooter’s presence on a nearby rooftop until the assailant opened fire. Within seconds of the gunfire, Trump’s detail covered the former president, and a sniper neutralized the shooter with a single shot. Trump sustained a minor injury, being grazed in the ear by a bullet.
Providing a timeline, Rowe explained that the shooting occurred during a rally when shots were fired at the stage from a nearby building. One person was killed and two others were wounded in the chaos. Rowe emphasized that local law enforcement acted appropriately, and the fault lay with the Secret Service’s lack of adequate rooftop surveillance.
The acting director highlighted that the agency is taking full responsibility for the security breach and is implementing measures to prevent such incidents in the future. This includes a thorough review of security protocols and increased training for agents to handle similar threats more effectively.
Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concern over the security lapse. The bipartisan criticism underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for the Secret Service to restore confidence in its ability to protect high-profile figures.
Rowe assured that the Secret Service is committed to ensuring the safety of all its protectees and is taking substantial steps to address the vulnerabilities exposed by this incident. The agency is determined to learn from this failure and enhance its protective measures moving forward.
