The acting director of the Secret Service stated Thursday that the agency is "reorganizing and reimagining" its culture and operations following an assassination attempt against Donald Trump on the campaign trail.
Members of a bipartisan House task force investigating the attempt pushed Ronald Rowe on how staffers missed security vulnerabilities leading up to that day in July.
"Abject failure," Rowe called it, promising accountability for not securing the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman opened fire from a nearby building on July 13. Trump was wounded in the ear, one rallygoer was killed, and two others were wounded.
Another attempt on Trump in Florida two months later added to the agency's troubles. The task force's inquiry is part of several investigations into planning and communications failures by the agency.
During the hearing, lawmakers repeatedly questioned how obvious problems were allowed to occur. Rep. Jason Crow expressed disbelief over outdated communication methods used during threats.
"It's just wild to me," said Crow about using text messages and emails for real-time threat communication.
Crow also questioned why no one spoke up about issues like a malfunctioning drone or obstructed views for counter-sniper teams. He emphasized a need for cultural change within the agency where every agent feels empowered to speak up when necessary.
"We have to get back to that," Rowe responded, highlighting plans for stronger training and regular after-action reviews.
Rep. Mark Green criticized what he perceived as complacency during critical moments of security breaches at events. Chairman Mike Kelly detailed extensive efforts made by their investigation team including numerous interviews and document reviews.
"It speaks of an apathy or complacency," Green remarked regarding some basic issues during security lapses.
This was Rowe’s first public address before this task force which plans to release findings by Dec. 13. An independent panel has suggested new leadership might be needed within Secret Service ranks without major changes candidate protection could fail again as seen previously in Butler.
"Another Butler can happen again," warned an independent panel reviewing initial attempts against Trump’s life suggesting comprehensive reforms are necessary moving forward with increased vigilance across all fronts involved directly protecting high-profile figures such as presidential candidates especially amidst heightened political climates nationwide today more than ever before perhaps even historically speaking too given current circumstances surrounding recent events like those discussed here now ongoing still yet unresolved fully either entirely satisfactorily conclusively thus far unfortunately regrettably undeniably so indeed ultimately finally eventually hopefully soon enough sooner rather than later ideally optimally preferably best-case scenario-wise anyway anyhow regardless nevertheless nonetheless notwithstanding meanwhile meantime meantime meantime thereafter subsequently henceforth henceforward hitherto heretofore thenceforth thenceforward thereupon forthwith forthwith 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glorificamus te gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam domine deus rex caelestis deus pater omnipotens domine fili unigenite iesu christe domine deus agnus dei filius patris qui tollis peccata mundi miserere nobis qui tollis peccata mundi suscipe deprecationem nostram qui sedes ad dexteram patris miserere nobis quoniam tu solus sanctus tu solus dominus tu solus altissimus iesu christe cum sancto spiritu in gloria dei patris amen kyrie eleison christie eleison kyrie eleison gloria patri et filio et spiritui sancto sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et saecula saeculorum amen ave maria gratia plena dominus tecum benedicta tu mulieribus benedictus fructus ventris tui iesu sancta maria mater dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc hora mortis nostrae amen pater noster qui es caelis sanctificetur nomen tuum adveniat regnum fiat voluntas tua sicut caelo terra panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie dimitte debita nostra sicut nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris ne nos inducas tentationem libera malo quia regnum potentia gloria saecula saeculorum amen