Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe shifts blame to local authorities, claiming they were responsible for covering the rooftop from which gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks fired at former President Donald Trump. However, the head of a prominent police union disputes this account, accusing the Secret Service of "assigning blame" and failing to provide answers about the security lapses.
Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe has come under fire for blaming local authorities for the security failures that allowed a gunman to shoot former President Donald Trump in the ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Rowe testified before congressional lawmakers that the Secret Service was told by local law enforcement that the "building was going to be covered." He further said that he didn't "understand why there was not better coverage" before asking "why was the assailant not seen?" Rowe later said agents "assumed the state and locals had it [covered]."
Secret Service Director Blames Local Authorities for Trump Assassination Attempt Failures
The head of the National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, Patrick Yoes, expressed frustration at Rowe's answer, saying, "It is the responsibility of the Secret Service to ensure the safety of their protectee — all that the local agencies can do is assist them with manpower and resources."
Yoes accused the Secret Service of "assigning blame" and said that "the Acting Director needs to focus on finding out what went wrong before he blames his agency’s local law enforcement partners."
Secret Service Director Blames Local Authorities for Trump Assassination Attempt Failures
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger confirmed that the gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired from the roof of a nearby building during the rally. Crooks was killed after injuring Trump.
The Secret Service has been heavily criticized for the security lapses that allowed Crooks to get that close to the former president. A timeline of the assassination attempt raises questions about how Crooks evaded security.
Secret Service Director Blames Local Authorities for Trump Assassination Attempt Failures
"Because of these assumptions and the cascade of failures that occurred at this event, an innocent man has died, and a former president was struck by gunfire," Yoes said. "Which agency is responsible for security at the event? Which agency placed these buildings beyond the security perimeter?"
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Secret Service for comment.
Secret Service Director Blames Local Authorities for Trump Assassination Attempt Failures
The Secret Service has a long history of protecting presidents and other high-profile individuals. However, the Trump assassination attempt has raised serious questions about the agency's ability to fulfill its mission.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary are conducting a joint hearing to examine the security failures that led to the Trump assassination attempt.
The hearing is expected to shed light on the Secret Service's actions in the lead-up to the attack and identify areas where improvements can be made.
