Hawley Demands Accountability from Acting Secret Service Director After Trump Rally Shooting

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) confronted acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe on Tuesday, demanding accountability for the security lapse that led to an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. The exchange occurred during a Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees hearing, where Rowe and FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate testified about the incident.

The attempted assassination took place at a Trump rally, where 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks managed to reach a nearby rooftop and start shooting with a rifle. Although a Secret Service sniper killed Crooks, Trump was hit in the ear, and 50-year-old fireman Corey Comperatore was killed. Two other attendees were wounded but have since been released from the hospital.

Key Points:

• Security Lapse: Questions arose about how the gunman reached a rooftop and began shooting at the rally.

• Leadership Changes: Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned last week, and Ronald Rowe was named acting director.

• Senate Hearing: Senator Josh Hawley pressed Rowe on why the officials responsible for the security failure had not been relieved of duty.

During the hearing, Hawley demanded to know why the lead site agent, who decided to leave the building from which Crooks opened fire outside the security perimeter, had not been identified or relieved of duty. Rowe responded that the agent was still operational and cooperating with ongoing investigations.

“Senator, I cannot give you that name,” Rowe said. “This person is operational. They’re still doing investigations. They’re still doing protective visits.”

Hawley, knowing the agent's name, asked why this person had not been relieved of duty. Rowe emphasized the need to understand the entire decision process and interview everyone involved before making any personnel decisions.

Hawley argued that the shooting incident, which included Trump being hit, was reason enough for the agent to step down. Rowe countered by stressing the importance of a thorough investigation and not rushing to judgment.

“I’m trying to find someone who is accountable here,” Hawley declared, expressing frustration over the lack of immediate action.

Hawley also questioned why the Secret Service allowed Trump on stage despite local law enforcement flagging a suspicious individual later identified as the gunman. Rowe insisted on a thorough investigation to understand exactly what happened.

“What I need to know is exactly what happened,” Rowe said. “I need my investigators to do their job, and I cannot put my thumb on the scale.”

Rowe acknowledged a failure on the part of the Secret Service but resisted making premature decisions about accountability. “This could have been our Texas School Book Depository,” Rowe said, referencing the JFK assassination. “I have lost sleep over that for the last 17 days.”

Raising his voice, Hawley demanded, “Then fire somebody!”

Rowe maintained his stance, “I will tell you, senator, that I will not rush to judgment, that people will be held accountable, and I will do so with integrity.”

As the investigation continues, the tension between ensuring accountability and conducting a thorough review remains a contentious issue. The hearing highlights the complexities of managing security at high-profile events and the critical need for effective oversight.

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