The United States Secret Service has admitted its failure to adequately protect former President Donald Trump during an election rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, when a gunman fired shots at him.
The incident, which occurred in Butler, narrowly missed Trump, raising serious questions about the agency’s security protocols.
'Mission failure'
Acting Director of the Secret Service, Ronald Rowe, expressed regret over the security lapse at a press conference, stating, “The Secret Service takes full responsibility for the tragic events of July 13th. This was a mission failure. The sole responsibility of our agency is to make sure our protectees are never put in danger. We fell short of that in Butler. And I'm working to make sure that this failure does not happen again.”
Rowe's comments came after a young gunman targeted Trump, who was addressing supporters at the rally. A bullet narrowly missed the former president, with one shot striking him in the ear. The event has raised concerns over the safety measures in place for high-profile political figures.
Details of the incident
On the day of the rally, Trump arrived via a Secret Service motorcade at approximately 5:30 pm. He met supporters in a secure backstage area before taking the stage at 6 pm to deliver his remarks.
However, unbeknownst to the Secret Service and Trump's security detail, a suspect was positioned on the roof of a nearby building, armed with a firearm.
Rowe outlined the sequence of events leading up to the shooting.
At 5:45 pm, a member of the Butler County Emergency Services Unit alerted the Secret Service about a suspicious individual, sending photographs of the assailant.
However, the Secret Service counter-sniper teams and Trump’s security detail were reportedly unaware of the imminent threat.
At 6:11 pm, as Trump began his speech, the gunman fired three shots. It was only moments later, within three seconds, that Trump’s detail rushed to protect him, shielding him with their bodies.
The assailant continued firing for several more seconds before a Secret Service counter-sniper neutralized the threat.
Rowe noted, “Based on what I know right now, neither the Secret Service counter-sniper teams nor members of the former president's security detail had any knowledge that there was a man on the roof of the AGR building with a firearm. It is my understanding that personnel were not aware the assailant had a firearm until they heard gunshots.”
Commitment to accountability
The Secret Service's responsibility extends to protecting the current and former presidents, their families, and presidential nominees.
Director Rowe pointed to the agency's commitment to accountability and transparency in the aftermath of the incident. He confirmed that the Secret Service will cooperate with ongoing investigations led by Congress, the Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General, and a review directed by President Joe Biden.
“I am not waiting for the completion of those reports, and I've directed the Secret Service to take immediate steps to ensure our protectees are indeed safe. I am committed to pursuing accountability for the Secret Service's failure in Butler, Pennsylvania,” Rowe stated.
He further said that if any policy violations by personnel are identified during the Mission Assurance Review, those individuals will be held accountable through the agency's disciplinary process.
Future safety measures
Rowe pressed the need for improved security measures, stating, “We should have had better protection for the protectee. We should have had better coverage on that roof line. We should have had more of a presence.”
He recognised that the incident represented a significant failure on the part of the Secret Service and indicated a determination to implement changes to prevent future lapses in security.
The admission comes at a time when the Secret Service is under increased scrutiny, especially given the high stakes involved in protecting former and current political leaders.
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