Ronald Rowe, the current head of the Secret Service, openly acknowledged his inability to justify why the rooftop, from which Thomas Matthew Crooks fired at Trump, was left unsecured.
Crooks’ attack tragically resulted in the death of firefighter veteran Corey Comperatore and left two others critically injured, including Trump who was grazed by a bullet.
‘I positioned myself on the AGR building’s rooftop where the assailant fired shots, and as a seasoned law enforcement officer and 25-year Secret Service veteran, what I observed left me deeply ashamed.
I cannot defend the lack of security measures on that rooftop,’ Rowe confessed during his testimony before Congress.
Rowe expressed disbelief that no one was monitoring the rooftop, emphasizing that Crooks’ presence there should have been flagged immediately.
This oversight raises serious questions about the adequacy of security protocols in place.
The former Secret Service Director, Kimberly Cheatle, faced criticism for not visiting the rally site prior to her resignation amidst mounting scrutiny.
Rowe, in contrast, conducted a reenactment of the shooting to assess surveillance and sniper capabilities.
Acting Director Rowe and Deputy FBI Director Paul Abbate appeared before a rare joint Senate hearing, shedding light on critical moments leading up to the assassination attempt.
Thirty seconds before Crooks fired, local law enforcement alerted the Secret Service about an armed individual on the rooftop.
Earlier sightings of Crooks on the rooftop had also been reported, suggesting a series of missed opportunities to prevent the attack.
Abbate disclosed that the FBI had identified social media accounts linked to Crooks, indicating posts with anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant sentiments, and advocating political violence.
Rowe outlined significant changes made post-incident, including stricter security protocols, enhanced drone surveillance, and expedited approval processes for security personnel at high-risk events.
Political Fallout and Oversight
Rowe and Abbate faced rigorous questioning from Senate committees following Cheatle’s resignation, with lawmakers demanding answers about the security failures leading up to the assassination attempt.
Detailed timelines revealed critical lapses, including warnings about Crooks’ activities and the delayed response to security alerts before and during the rally.
Senators like Rand Paul and Josh Hawley pressed Rowe on the lack of personnel accountability and decisions made during the security breach, highlighting gaps in the response and decision-making process.
Newly obtained text messages revealed staffing shortages among local law enforcement at the rally site, underscoring systemic challenges in securing high-profile events.
Technological Limitations
Whistleblower reports suggested that the Secret Service initially refused drone assistance from local law enforcement, only reversing their decision post-incident.
In summary, the congressional hearings have uncovered a series of systemic failures and missed opportunities that allowed the assassination attempt to occur, prompting calls for accountability and urgent reforms within the Secret Service.
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