Washington D. C.– It’s been nearly three weeks since an assassin attempted to assassinate Donald Trump, and answers are still limited – even after a press conference from the acting director of the United States Secret Service.
On July 13th, 2024, Matthew Crooks climbed on top of a building near a rally being held by Donald Trump, in Butler, Pennsylvania. Crooks opened fire, attempting to assassinate Fmr. Pres. Trump. A bullet grazed the former president’s right ear. While the other bullets fired killed one, injured two others. Secret Service snipers staged on top of another building closer to the podium, killed Crooks.
Now, multiple investigations into what failed are ongoing.
Ronald Rowe, the Director of the USSS provided a press conference on the attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump, nearly three weeks later. Rowe called the attempt a failure, but giving limited answers on the active investigation.
The USSS has said they though the building the shooter shot from was covered by local law enforcement, and have admitted that they were wrong. But when it comes to disciplinary action among agents, Director Rowe says those are internal and no actions has occurred, three weeks later.
“This was a Secret Service failure…That rood should have been covered. We should have had eyes on that.”
– USSS Director Ronald Rowe
Rowe did say if the Secret Service were to find that an agent broke policy, that agent will be held accountable. Rowe said that the Secret Service wouldn’t provide “real-time updates” on the topic.
During the nearly 45 minute-long press conference, Director Rowe said, “It is my understanding that personnel were not aware the assailant had a firearm, until they heard gunshots.”
That quote contradicts what local police reported. Reports say that local police climbed on top of the building after becoming aware there was a suspicion person on top of a building. After using another officers shoulders to get on the building, that officer is said to have seen the assassin with a weapon, and reported that to other local law enforcement through radio.
NOTE: Local law enforcement and the United States Secret Service were on essentially different channels and weren’t able to communicate among each others.
The press at the conference then asked why they could not communicate, as there was a command center. Director Rowe then clarified that there were two command centers at the rally.
Rowe also said they will begin using unmanned Ariel equipment at future outdoor rallies, and said that’s something he allowed when he became acting director of the USSS, following former director Kimberly Cheatle stepping down.
The conference allowed the United States Secret Service to admit fault, and answer few questions – but still leaves questions regarding actions to prevent another attempted assassination or another familiar incident.