Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe expressed shame and concern over a significant security failure that occurred before the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
During a Senate committee hearing, Rowe acknowledged that the roof of a nearby building, from which the shooter fired, was not properly secured.
Rowe visited the rally site and was dismayed by the lapse, stating, “As a career law enforcement officer and 25-year Secret Service veteran, I cannot defend why that roof was not better secured.”
The FBI is still investigating the shooter’s motive, but has discovered a social media account linked to the shooter with extreme and violent content, including antisemitic and anti-immigration themes.
Rowe’s testimony comes a week after former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned amid pressure from Congress for not disclosing security shortcomings.
The incident has raised concerns about the Secret Service’s ability to protect high-profile individuals and events.
