Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe is set to testify before House lawmakers on Thursday, detailing the significant changes the agency has made in response to the attempted assassination of President-elect Trump in July in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Rowe will acknowledge the failure of the Secret Service to adequately secure the Butler Farm Show site and protect Trump on July 13. He will admit that this failure exposed critical gaps in Secret Service operations and fell short of public and congressional expectations.
Following the assassination attempt, Rowe focused on understanding the failures, ensuring accountability, and preventing such incidents from recurring. He will highlight that the advance work for the Butler Farm Show visit did not meet the agency's standards.
Prior to the incident, law enforcement had identified a suspicious individual, later identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, pacing the roof near where Trump was speaking. Despite signs of trouble, the security lapse allowed the armed man to remain unnoticed until shots were fired.
Rowe will outline a series of specific measures the agency is implementing to address the shortcomings and enhance protection for high-profile individuals. These include increasing staffing levels, utilizing unmanned aerial systems for surveillance, and enhancing radio interoperability with local authorities.
The agency has also taken disciplinary actions against agents involved in the July 13 events, although specific details were not disclosed.
Looking ahead, Rowe aims to enhance mission effectiveness and rebuild public trust by implementing unified command structures at protective sites and conducting regular assessments of procedures. He also emphasizes the importance of mental health and wellness programs for personnel to mitigate job-related stress.
Rowe concludes by expressing his commitment to preventing similar failures in the future, stating that he will do everything possible to ensure the Secret Service upholds its duty to protect national leaders.
