Official report or announcement from the House task force

Acting Secret Service Chief Admits 'Abject Failure' in Trump Assassination Attempt at Butler Rally

Dec 5, 2024, 04:32 PM

Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe testified before a bipartisan House task force investigating assassination attempts against President-elect Donald Trump, acknowledging the agency's "abject failure" during the July 13th rally at the Butler Farm Show site in Butler, Pennsylvania. At that event, a gunman shot at Mr. Trump, grazing his ear, and killed one rallygoer while injuring two others. Rowe stated that the Secret Service did not meet expectations in adequately securing the site and that failures by multiple employees warrant disciplinary action, adding, "There will be accountability." The task force, concluding its five-month investigation, held its final hearing where a heated exchange erupted between Rowe and Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX) over security lapses and Rowe's attendance at a 9/11 memorial event. The shouting match escalated when Rowe accused Fallon of invoking 9/11 for political purposes.