Official reports from the Senate committees or the Secret Service

Ronald Rowe Testifies on July 13 Butler, PA Trump Assassination Attempt Failures

Jul 30, 2024, 04:03 PM

Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe testified before a joint Senate panel, including the Senate Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees, regarding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. Rowe admitted to multiple failures in planning, execution, and communication. He acknowledged that the Secret Service counter-sniper teams and Trump's security detail were unaware of the gunman on the roof until shots were fired. Rowe also admitted that a Secret Service counter-drone system failed due to technical difficulties, while the shooter's drone operated effectively. Additionally, Rowe confessed to limiting resources for Trump's security, including denying counter-sniper teams for events outside driving distance from Washington, D.C. He noted that local law enforcement had flagged the shooter as suspicious due to a rangefinder but failed to communicate this effectively. Rowe expressed shame over the incident and pledged to review personnel decisions and make necessary changes to prevent future lapses.