Ronald Rowe, the acting director of the U.S. Secret Service, acknowledged failures that led to the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump last July.
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Joe Raedle/Getty Images
The Secret Service acknowledged Friday failures that led to a gunman being able to wound former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pa., on July 13.
Ronald Rowe, the acting director of the Secret Service, told reporters that one of the failures was that the Secret Service deferred too much responsibility to local law enforcement on securing buildings near the rally and didn’t give clear guidance, allowing the shooter to climb on the roof of a nearby building and get off a shot at the former president.
“We need to be clear with our state and local partners on what we’re asking of them,” he said.
He also cited “complacency” from other agents, as well as over-reliance on mobile devices and flaws in advance planning.
He said employees will be held accountable, but declined to give details on discipline “as they are proceeding.” But he reiterated that contrary to media reports, he did not ask for anyone to resign.
The Secret Service has been under scrutiny after two assassination attempts against Trump, the most recent one on Sept. 15. Rowe said the former president has had “robust security,” more robust than any former president has ever gotten, since he left office. That security was increased to a presidential level after the July 13 shooting.
Asked about the gunman who was near Trump at the Trump International golf course in West Palm Beach, Fla., and whether he viewed how his agents apprehended the gunman a success, Rowe said: “Based on the information I have right now, I’d say that situation was managed according to our training.” That included the young Secret Service agent taking swift action, reporting shots he fired at the gunman, and communicating via radio.
Rowe said the recent events and overall issues require the Secret Service to “increase its protective footprint,” and added the agency is asking Congress for more money and to be able to hire more people.
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