Secret Service Accused of Cover-Up in Former President Trump Assassination Attempt Investigation

Sen. Marsha Blackburn grills Secret Service's acting director on public's lost trust after the July 13 assassination attempt against former President Trump. An internal email from a counter sniper suggests the agency is more concerned with "CYA" than protecting.

Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee has accused the Secret Service of engaging in a cover-up following a July 13 assassination attempt against former President Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

During a Senate hearing involving testimony from Acting U.S. Secret Service (USSS) Director Ronald Rowe and FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate, Blackburn grilled Rowe about the public's trust in the agency. She cited an email reportedly sent by a Secret Service counter sniper, which expressed concerns that the agency's "motto" was "CYA," meaning "cover your a--."

Secret Service Accused of Cover-Up in Former President Trump Assassination Attempt Investigation

The email, obtained by Real Clear Politics reporter Susan Crabtree, was allegedly sent to the entire Uniform Division after more information about the assassination attempt became public. It highlighted the counter sniper's disappointment in the agency's handling of the rally and the public's loss of trust.

"The public has lost trust in the ability to execute the mission to protect, and I want to know how you feel about the fact that employees in your agency are worried about covering their behind and not worried about protecting a former president," Blackburn stated.

Secret Service Accused of Cover-Up in Former President Trump Assassination Attempt Investigation

Rowe expressed his disappointment over the email, acknowledging that emotions were raw within the agency. He described himself as a Marine and a 20-year veteran with the USSS, stating that he was committed to reviewing the situation and being a "change agent."

Senator Mike Lee, a Republican from Utah, also questioned Rowe about the security lapse that allowed Trump to take the stage 17 minutes after reports of a suspicious person. Rowe stated that no information regarding a weapon on the roof had been transmitted to Secret Service personnel.

Secret Service Accused of Cover-Up in Former President Trump Assassination Attempt Investigation

The FBI has since released details about the alleged assassin, Thomas Crooks, who accessed the roof of a building near the rally site using HVAC equipment and piping. Crooks traversed multiple rooftops before finding his shooting position on top of a building owned by American Glass Research.

The FBI investigation is ongoing, with over 300 agents and staff working to gather facts and establish a clearer timeline of Crooks' actions. It remains unclear how he evaded security after being spotted by law enforcement approximately 90 minutes before the shots were fired.

Secret Service Accused of Cover-Up in Former President Trump Assassination Attempt Investigation