WASHINGTON — Following two assassination attempts on Donald Trump earlier this year, Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. praised several enhancements and modifications to his agency on Thursday.
Rowe provided testimony to the bipartisan congressional task committee that was looking into the two different attempts on the life of the now-elect president. Members unanimously approved the release of the panel’s final report at the hearing, which concluded the task force’s months-long investigation. However, a heated argument between Rowe and a Texas lawmaker also revealed some underlying tensions.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Secret Service has come under heavy assault after a shooter opened fire at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July, striking Trump’s ear, killing one person, and wounded two more. At the scene, the gunman was slain.
Two months later, authorities looked into a second alleged attempt on Trump’s life near the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The accused has entered a not guilty plea to the accusations.
The task force was established in response to the July shooting, and after the Florida tragedy, it broadened its scope and sparked other federal investigations.
Rowe, who promptly assumed the interim position in July following Kimberly Cheatle’s resignation as director, once more recognized the agency’s inability to sufficiently secure the Butler Farm Show location and safeguard President-elect Trump.
“I acknowledge that we did not meet the expectations of the American public, Congress, and our protectees, and they rightly have that idea based on how we performed,” he said, adding that the utter failure highlighted crucial flaws in Secret Service operations.
Agency improvements
Rowe outlined a number of the agency’s initiatives, including increasing the use of counter-unmanned aerial systems technologies and unmanned aerial systems for aerial observation at sites.
Additionally, he stated that the agency is receiving more applications and that their employment process has much improved.
According to Rowe’s written testimony, the agency recently hired a chief wellness officer as part of its efforts to give mental health and wellness initiatives top priority.
He pointed out the necessity of a paradigm change focused on improving protection, giving training first priority, fortifying our staff, and boosting accountability.
In order to make training standard practice and expected, he also wishes to restructure the agency’s culture.
Hearing grows tense
Rowe and Texas GOP Rep. Pat Fallon got into a heated argument at one part of the session.
The congressman displayed a sizable photograph of Rowe at a 9/11 memorial service in New York City, standing behind President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump, Ohio GOP Sen. J.D. Vance, and other dignitaries.
Fallon asked why Rowe was positioned there, given that the special agent in charge (SAC) of the detail is typically the one standing closest to the president.
“What you’re not seeing, congressman, is the SAC of the detail out of the picture’s view,” Rowe explained. “That’s the day that we remember the more than 3,000 people who died on 9/11.” In fact, I answered Ground Zero. I was there, walking through the World Trade Center’s ashes. Fresh Kills was where I was.
That’s not what I’m asking, Fallon yelled at Rowe and continued to question him about whether Rowe was the lead special agent.
Don’t use 9/11 as a political point! Rowe retorted, later clarifying that his presence had no bearing on protective activities because he was acting on behalf of the Secret Service.
Rowe was accused by Fallon of attending the gathering to try out for a job that he would not be hired for.
Trump has not yet revealed his choice for the agency’s head. Although some members of Congress wish to change this, the Senate does not currently have the authority to confirm the director of the Secret Service.
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