The U.S. Secret Service held a press conference on Friday to address recent criticisms following a July 13 incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a shooter was able to access a rooftop and fire shots at former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally. The agency’s response comes amid increasing scrutiny over how the breach occurred and what measures are being taken to prevent future incidents.
Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. stated that the agency’s oversight in the security arrangements was a “mission failure.” He acknowledged that the Secret Service should have provided a better line of sight to address high ground vulnerabilities. “We thought we might have it covered with the human eye,” Rowe said. “But clearly, we are going to change our approach now and leverage technology.”
During the press conference, Rowe confirmed that while local law enforcement had offered to loan a drone to enhance surveillance, the Secret Service declined the offer. He explained that the agency is now reconsidering its use of unmanned aerial systems to improve its security protocols, emphasizing the need for technological advancements in their operations.
When questioned about potential disciplinary actions or firings resulting from the security lapse, Rowe noted that such decisions will be contingent upon the results of a “mission assurance review.” He did not provide specifics but assured that if any privacy violations or policy breaches are found, appropriate actions would be taken. “These are very thorough investigations, and if there are policy violations, those employees will be held accountable,” Rowe said.
Rowe’s comments underscored the agency’s commitment to addressing the security failures and ensuring that similar lapses do not occur in the future. “The sole responsibility of our agency is to make sure our protectees are never put in danger. We fell short of that in Butler,” Rowe added. “I am working to make sure that this failure does not happen again.”
Secret Service Refused Police Offer Of Drone Before Trump Assassination Attempt: Rowe world-news World News | Latest International Global World News | Todays Breaking News Headlines
