WASHINGTON – The U.S. Secret Service has taken significant steps to improve its security practices after a gunman attempted to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump in July. This was revealed by Acting Director Ronald Rowe during his testimony to a U.S. House of Representatives panel on Thursday. The panel, consisting of seven Republicans and six Democrats, has been investigating two failed assassination attempts on Trump during this year’s presidential campaign.
Rowe’s testimony shed light on the gravity of the Secret Service’s failure on July 13, 2024. He personally carries the weight of knowing that they almost lost a protectee and that their failure cost a father and husband his life. He emphasized the need to recognize the expectations and responsibilities of the Secret Service and the need to meet them.
The Secret Service has been under scrutiny for its staffing levels and communication capabilities following the Trump assassination attempts. In July, a gunman fired eight shots during a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, injuring Trump and killing another attendee. The gunman was shot and killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper. Two months later, a man with a gun attempted to attack Trump at a golf course in Florida. The suspect, Ryan Routh, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges and is awaiting trial.
Rowe received praise from many Republican lawmakers for his cooperation with the investigation. However, things grew heated when Republican Representative Pat Fallon questioned Rowe’s appearance at a ceremony commemorating the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Rowe erupted at Fallon, stating that he responded to the World Trade Center site following the attack and attended the ceremony to represent the Secret Service. He firmly stated, “Do not invoke 9/11 for political purposes! You are out of line, Congressman.”
Fallon defended his line of questioning, stating that he was asking serious questions about whether Rowe was there to provide protection for high-level officials at the ceremony. Rowe has said he was “ashamed” of the security lapses surrounding the Pennsylvania shooting. He also defended the agency’s response in the Florida incident, commending an agent who spotted the gunman before he could open fire.
Rowe has implemented a series of changes following the shooting, including increasing training for agents, streamlining communication with local law enforcement, and boosting the size of Trump’s security detail. He testified that he has sought to eliminate what he called a “do-more-with-less mindset” at the Secret Service, which he said had a “degrading effect” on the agency. He also mentioned that the agency is addressing its staffing shortage and plans to hire 650 special agents and 350 uniformed officers in the coming months.
The rally shooting shook confidence in the Secret Service, damaging its elite “zero fail” reputation for protecting presidents and high-level dignitaries in the U.S. However, the agency has taken steps to regain trust and improve its security measures. The Secret Service has largely been exempt from Trump’s criticisms of federal law enforcement and his vows to overhaul the government. However, the agency’s response to the Pennsylvania shooting drew bipartisan condemnation.
An interim report from the House task force, released in October, found a lack of planning between the Secret Service and local law enforcement ahead of the July rally. Republican Representative Mike Kelly, the chair of the task force, credited Rowe with implementing reforms and calling out what he called a culture of complacency in the agency. He also noted that when Trump returned to Butler, Pennsylvania, for another rally in October, the difference in the security posture was “like the difference between day and night.”
The Secret Service plays a crucial role in protecting our nation’s leaders and ensuring their safety. It is reassuring to see that the agency has taken swift action to address the security lapses and has implemented reforms to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. The safety of our leaders and the public is of utmost importance, and the Secret Service’s commitment to improving their practices is commendable.
In conclusion, the Secret Service’s acting director, Ronald Rowe, has testified to the House panel about the changes and improvements made within the agency following the failed assassination attempts on President-elect Donald Trump. The agency has taken responsibility for its failure and has implemented significant reforms to prevent such incidents from happening again. With these changes in place, we can trust that the Secret Service will continue to fulfill its duties and protect our leaders with the utmost dedication and professionalism.
