Ronald Rowe, acting director of the Secret Service, is promising accountability for what he called the agency’s “abject failure” to secure the rally where a gunman opened fire on Donald Trump during his presidential campaign. Rowe said Thursday that the agency is “reorganizing and reimagining” its culture and how it operates, reports the Associated Press. Members of a bipartisan House task force investigating the attempt on Trump's life pushed Rowe on how the agency’s staffers could have missed such blatant security vulnerabilities leading up to the July 13 shooting at a rally in Butler, Pa. At one point, the hearing devolved into a shouting match between Rowe and a Republican congressman.. The agency’s previous director resigned, and the Secret Service increased protections for Trump before he won the election.
Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), said it was “just wild to me” that at a time of tech advances, the Secret Service was using text messages and emails to communicate in real time about threats. Rowe said the agency is putting a much stronger emphasis on training — something previous investigations found was lacking, and on doing more regular reviews of events to see what went right and where improvements can be made. Rowe and Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX), shouted over each other as other members pleaded for order. Fallon displayed a photo of President Biden, Trump and others at a Sept. 11 ceremony in New York and suggested that Rowe attended to improve his prospects at getting the director job permanently. “I was there to show respect for a Secret Service member that died on 9/11. Do not invoke 9/11 for political purposes!” Rowe shouted. “You wanted to be visible because you were auditioning for this job that you’re not going to get!” Fallon said Rowe roared back: “You are out of line, Congressman. You are out of line!” Fallon responded, “You’re a bully.”
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