Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe has vowed accountability for the agents involved in the security failure during the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. In a detailed briefing today, Rowe acknowledged the gravity of the incident and the agency’s responsibility, stating, “We feel the weight of what happened.”
The assassination attempt occurred on July 13 during a Trump rally. Thomas Crooks, the would-be assassin, accessed a rooftop near the rally by climbing HVAC equipment and piping. From his position atop a building owned by American Glass Research, about 150 yards from where Trump was speaking, Crooks opened fire with a DPMS AR-15-style firearm, nicking Trump’s ear and leaving one man dead and two others injured.
The incident has sparked bipartisan criticism of the Secret Service’s handling of the situation, leading to the resignation of the former director shortly afterward. Rowe emphasized that local law enforcement had acted appropriately, placing the blame on the Secret Service for not detecting Crooks on the rooftop before he opened fire. “It was our agency that failed,” Rowe admitted.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) engaged in a heated exchange with Rowe during a joint Senate committee hearing, highlighting the intense scrutiny the agency faces. The FBI has also been involved in the investigation, revealing that Crooks had meticulously planned the attack, signing up for the rally and researching historical assassinations prior to the event.
Rowe provided a chronology of the shooting, stating that Trump’s security detail did not realize there was a shooter on the rooftop until the gunfire began. Within seconds, the Secret Service detail covered Trump, and a sniper neutralized Crooks with a single shot. Despite this swift response, the incident was labeled a “failure” by Rowe, who promised that the agents found at fault would be held accountable.
The FBI continues to investigate Crooks’ motive and any potential co-conspirators, although they have indicated there are no signs of others being involved. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has requested comprehensive records from multiple agencies as part of their investigation into the attempt on Trump’s life.
The Trump campaign announced the Butler rally on July 3, with Crooks signing up and beginning his preparations shortly afterward. On the day of the rally, Trump took the podium an hour late, and eleven minutes into his speech, Crooks fired multiple rounds, resulting in the death of 50-year-old Corey Comperatore and the serious injury of 57-year-old David Dutch and 74-year-old James Copenhaver. Dutch has since been released from the hospital, while Copenhaver remains hospitalized.
The Secret Service’s internal investigation aims to identify and address the failures that led to the assassination attempt, ensuring such lapses do not occur in the future. Rowe reiterated the agency’s commitment to improving its protocols and safeguarding public figures.
The assassination attempt has deeply impacted the Butler community and raised significant concerns about the security of political events. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on ensuring accountability and preventing future incidents.
