Secret Service Chief Acknowledges Failures in July Trump Shooting

The​ Secret Service⁢ has admitted to⁣ “failures” in communication and diligence by its agents during the assassination attempt on former ⁢President Donald Trump. Acting Secret Service ‍Director Ronald Rowe Jr. ⁣acknowledged the lapses ​and emphasized‍ the​ need for accountability to prevent similar failures in the future. An⁢ internal interim report ⁢highlighted deficiencies in command and control, as well as communication and diligence. The agency relied on local law enforcement to secure the‌ building where the gunman was positioned, ⁢but Rowe stressed that they cannot defer ⁤their​ responsibilities to others. ⁢The Secret Service plans to expand‍ its security perimeter around protectees, which will require​ additional​ resources. Disciplinary measures may be taken against personnel involved, although Rowe ​did not disclose ‍specific details about potential punishments or retirement requests. The incident has raised concerns about the agency’s effectiveness after ​a young gunman fired eight rounds at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, injuring Trump and killing one attendee before being shot by ​a Secret Service sniper. Another suspect was recently arrested at​ a Trump golf course in Florida after allegedly building a sniper’s nest and aiming at the green for 12 hours while waiting ‍for Trump’s arrival. This incident further highlights the constant threat environment faced by the Secret Service since July 13th. In response to these events, legislation has ⁢been introduced in​ Congress to provide presidential​ nominees with ‍an equal ​number of agents for ⁤protection as provided for the president and vice president. Despite increasing demands, Rowe stated that hiring ⁢standards would not be compromised, with over 400 special agents hired this year‌ alone.