Secret Service in the Hot Seat over Trump Shooting Failures

Acting Director Ronald Rowe admits security lapses, including a failed drone detection system and an abandoned sniper position, allowed an assassin to target former President Trump.

Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe has faced intense questioning from Senate committees over glaring security failures that led to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Rowe, along with FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate, testified before the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees, providing the most direct acknowledgment of guilt from the investigation since the July 13 shooting.

Rowe admitted that the failure of a drone detection system, meant to be operational before the rally, played a significant role in the security breach. The system, reliant on public cellphone service, experienced bandwidth issues and only came online at 5:20 p.m., two hours later than scheduled.

Secret Service in the Hot Seat over Trump Shooting Failures

"What if we had geolocated him?" Rowe asked rhetorically. "It is something I have struggled with to understand and have no explanation for it."

Senators expressed concern over the Secret Service's reliance on cellular networks and pressed Rowe on backup plans. "That is something that has cost me a lot of sleep," Rowe said. "Moving forward, we are leveraging resources from the Department of Homeland Security to make sure we have dedicated connectivity."

Secret Service in the Hot Seat over Trump Shooting Failures

Another glaring security lapse was the absence of security coverage for the building from which Thomas Matthew Crooks fired on Trump. Rowe acknowledged that he "cannot understand" how it was overlooked. A local sniper team was supposed to have a direct view of the rooftop, but the position was abandoned, a reason that remains unexplained.

"There is a time for answers, and it is right now!" exclaimed Sen. Rick Scott, admonishing both Rowe and Abbate for their lack of transparency and comparing it to the aftermath of the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

Secret Service in the Hot Seat over Trump Shooting Failures

Lawmakers also raised concerns about no Secret Service agents being relieved of duty or suspended in relation to the shooting. Sen. Josh Hawley engaged in a heated exchange with Rowe over the delay, arguing that the gravity of a former president being shot should warrant swift action.

Rowe defended his decision to wait for the investigation's conclusion, while Sen. Marsha Blackburn referenced a whistleblower letter from a Secret Service countersniper alleging a need for massive reforms within the agency.

Secret Service in the Hot Seat over Trump Shooting Failures

Abbate, in his testimony, revealed that the FBI has yet to gain full access to Crooks' phone apps, as some content remains hidden on encrypted messaging apps. The FBI has identified one of Crooks' social media accounts but is still working to verify its ownership.

The investigation remains ongoing, with further updates expected. The Senate committees' hearing is a critical step in holding the Secret Service and FBI accountable for the security failures and improving protection measures for future events involving high-profile individuals.

Secret Service in the Hot Seat over Trump Shooting Failures