Key Points:
- The U.S. Secret Service acknowledged responsibility for the near-assassination of former President Donald Trump at a July campaign rally.
- Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe attributed the failure to “complacency” among some agents and communication breakdowns with local law enforcement.
- Trump was grazed by a bullet on July 13 during a presidential campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania, when Thomas Crooks fired at the stage.
The U.S. Secret Service admitted Friday that it was responsible for the near-assassination of former President Donald Trump at a July campaign rally, citing “complacency” among some agents and communication failures with local police.
“This was a failure on the part of the United States Secret Service,” said Acting Director Ronald Rowe during a press conference.
This marked the first time since the July 13 shooting that the agency provided a comprehensive account of the internal breakdowns that led to the attack, which left one rally attendee dead.
The Secret Service was primarily responsible for the security plan at the rally near Butler, Pennsylvania, where Thomas Crooks managed to open fire on Trump before being fatally shot.
However, Rowe noted the agency “did not give clear guidance or direction to our local law enforcement partners” and identified “communication deficiencies between law enforcement personnel at the site.”
Trump was grazed by a bullet, while Corey Comperatore, an attendee seated behind Trump, was killed, and two others were critically injured.
Rowe acknowledged that known line-of-sight issues at the rally site were not adequately addressed. He added, “While some members of the advance team were diligent, complacency from others led to a breach of security protocols.”
Rowe assured that those responsible would be held accountable. He took over as acting director following the resignation of former Director Kimberly Cheatle on July 23, just 10 days after the assassination attempt.