Allegations have surfaced that acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe's decisions may have endangered former President Donald Trump's safety.
Sen. Josh Hawley claimed that a whistleblower blamed Rowe's for cutbacks to the Secret Service's threat assessment team around the time of the July 13 assassination attempt on Trump's life, as Just the News reports.
On Thursday, Hawley revealed allegations from an insider within the Secret Service. The whistleblower accused acting Director Ronald Rowe of making cuts to the agency's threat assessment team, a decision that allegedly played a role in an attempt on former President Trump’s life.
Last month, Trump sustained an injury during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. This incident raised significant concerns about the Secret Service's protective measures. According to the whistleblower, the threat assessment team had not been allocated to the event, nor had any preliminary evaluation of the rally site been undertaken.
Hawley emphasized that the absence of the Secret Service Counter Surveillance Division might have allowed the perpetrator to go unnoticed. He cited the whistleblower's assertion that the gunman could have been apprehended in the parking area had the division been present.
The senator also highlighted further accusations. The whistleblower alleged that agents who voiced their concerns about security at Trump’s events had faced retaliation. These warnings, some purportedly ongoing for months, seem to have been ignored.
Previous security lapses have been a cause for worry within the Secret Service. At a Trump event at a golf course last year, the agency's reliance on local law enforcement was deemed inadequate. This, coupled with the recent Butler rally incident, showcases recurring issues within the organization.
Hawley has requested comprehensive information regarding the decision to reduce the threat assessment team's resources. He has set a deadline of Aug. 8 for a detailed response from the Secret Service, seeking transparency on several fronts. Specific details sought include the staffing levels for the rally, the number of agents who aired security concerns, and the punitive actions faced by these agents.
The Secret Service has yet to provide a public response to these claims. Rowe’s decision-making is under scrutiny, especially given the potential implications for national security. The integrity of the Secret Service's protective duties is now undeniably questioned.
Hawley conveyed a strong message regarding the importance of these allegations. "The whistleblower's claims suggest that if the Secret Service Counter Surveillance Division had been present, the outcome might have been different," he stated. This assertion calls into question the adequacy of current security practices.
The call for an internal review and reevaluation of security protocols is echoed by many. Ensuring that protective measures are not compromised by resource limitations is paramount for the safety of public figures.
To reiterate, the senator seeks clear explanations regarding the cut resources for threat teams and the overall personnel assignments for the event. He also demands information on the repercussions faced by agents who raised safety alarms about Trump’s events.
As the deadline for a response approaches, the public and governmental bodies are closely watching how these serious allegations are addressed. The efficacy of the Secret Service’s leadership and its commitment to all-encompassing security stands under a large magnifying glass.
