Secret Service admits ‘failure’ in protecting Trump

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Secret Service has accepted responsibility for the failed assassination of former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania in July and is requesting more resources going forward, a senior official said Friday.

acting director ronaldro briefing The agency briefed reporters on its findings after investigating how a gunman climbed onto a nearby rooftop and fired multiple shots at Trump during a July 13 campaign rally in Butler. trump card continued His right ear was injured, and an audience member killed, Two others were seriously injured.

“It is important that we take responsibility for the failure of July 13 and use the lessons learned to ensure that we do not have a similar failure happen again,” Luo said.

Rowe said the investigation revealed “deficiencies” in communication among law enforcement officers and an “over-reliance on mobile devices that resulted in information being siled,” and highlighted that critical information about the shooter was transmitted by phone rather than over the Secret Service radio network.

Rowe said the investigation also found that some staff members who visited the site early were “complacent” but failed to escalate their concerns about “sight issues” to supervisors.

“The results of the mission assurance review move the Secret Service into the accountability phase of the process,” he said. investigation.

“What is clear to me is that we need to change the paradigm of conducting protective operations. As demonstrated Sunday in West Palm Beach, the threat level is constantly changing,” Rowe said.

“The increased pace of operations requires additional resources, not only to account for the costs incurred today, but also to ensure that we have the tools, technology and people needed to meet these new requirements and execute our future mission,” he said.

Second attempt to hurt Trump

The results of the investigation were released less than a week ago second try About Trump’s life. The Secret Service foiled a gunman who tried to target the former president with a high-powered rifle while he was golfing at his home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday.

The incidents prompted the U.S. House of Representatives to unanimously support a measure that would give presidential and vice presidential candidates the same security level as public officials. The proposal passed the House of Commons on Friday 405-0 votes.

On Monday, a bipartisan congressional task force launched an investigation into July’s assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. Announcing expansion Its purview also includes investigating Sunday’s attempt in Florida. Working groups will be held first hearing Thursday.

Rowe said the agency has been providing the “highest level” of protection to presidential candidates since the July 13 assassination.

Rowe told reporters that heightened levels of protection were working, describing how an agent swept through the area ahead of Trump and “took steps to eliminate this threat.”

“No one shot the former president. The former president had no contact with his position on the golf course,” he said.

Expanding this level of protection means the agency is “consuming significant assets and resources.”

“This is not pie in the sky, trying to say ‘Hey, we want this now.’ We’re not taking advantage of the crisis,” Rowe said.

Rowe would not disclose the amount of additional funding the agency is seeking, saying conversations with congressional appropriators are “ongoing.”

“The threat is not going away anytime soon, so we have to prepare for it. That’s the argument we’ve been making. We’ve definitely made some progress and we’re having a productive dialogue with Congress,” he said.

Chittle resigns

Rowe was named acting director of the agency after former director Kimberly Cheatle took note of strong calls for her resignation. Step down 10 days after the assassination of Trump in July.

Rowe did not elaborate on who or how many people at the agency would face disciplinary action, citing federal regulations that prevented him from discussing the issue further.

“What I’m telling you is, I’m not asking anyone to retire. I know some of this has been reported. It’s wrong,” Rowe said.

Rowe said the agency’s Office of Integrity and Professional Responsibility will jointly determine any disciplinary action based on the agency’s “Penalty Schedule.”