Trump assassination attempt update: Secret Service holds briefing on July 13 failures
U.S. Secret Service (USSS) leaders are holding a 1 p.m. update on the agency's internal investigation following the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
"In today’s hyperdynamic threat environment, the mission of the Secret Service is clear: we cannot afford to fail," acting Director Ronald Rowe said.
In the aftermath of the shooting, former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned, and at least five people were placed on administrative duty as the investigation unfolded. Separate investigations are underway by the House and FBI.
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Acting U.S. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. testifies before a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security and Government Affairs committees on Capitol Hill on July 30, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (Michael A. McCoy for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Rowe described the Secret Service's preparation for the rally, during which gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, killed one spectator and injured two others while striking Trump in the ear, as "a failure."
The suspect had a clear line of sight of the former president from an unprotected rooftop about 150 yards away.
As a result of these failures, what has become clear to me is we need a shift in paradigm in how we conduct our operations. As was demonstrated on Sunday in West Palm Beach, the threat level is evolving and requires this paradigm shift.
— Ronald Rowe, acting director of the U.S. Secret Service
Former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Uniondale, New York, on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. Trump praised his Secret Service detail as "outstanding" during his remarks, which came just days after a second thwarted attempt on his life. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital )
"It’s important that we hold ourselves to account for the failures of July 13 and that we use the lessons learned to make sure that we do not have another mission failure like this again," Rowe said.
He said the agency is moving into "the accountability phase" – and actions are expected against officials who failed to secure the site.
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"The Office of Professional Responsibility and the Office of Integrity are reviewing the findings," Rowe said. "This agency has among the most robust table of penalties in the federal government, and violations of policy will result in disciplinary action."
Thomas Matthew Crooks crawling on a roof moments before he attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump. (DJ Laughery)
On Sunday, USSS thwarted a second assassination attempt, according to authorities.
An agent on Trump's protective detail was walking a few hundred yards ahead of him at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, when they saw a rifle barrel poking out of the tree line along the perimeter.
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Ryan W. Routh, suspected of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course, stands handcuffed after his arrest during a traffic stop near Palm City, Florida, on Sept. 15, 2024. (Martin County Sheriff's Office/Handout via REUTERS)
Trump praised the agent who opened fire and caused the suspect to drop the gun and flee.
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Deputies later arrested a man named Ryan Routh, who they say camped out next to the fence for nearly 12 hours with a loaded SKS, a digital video camera, food and other supplies before the agent spotted him.
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