In the aftermath of the botched security at former President Trump’s Butler, Pennsylvania rally, the Secret Service finds itself embroiled in controversy and internal strife.
Three weeks ago, Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe faced intense scrutiny from senators, who demanded immediate accountability for the agents whose lapses led to an assassination attempt on Trump.
However, Rowe staunchly resisted these calls, defending his agents and promising a thorough investigation instead of a rush to judgment, as reported by Real Clear Politics.
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Since then, several members of the Pittsburgh Field Office have been placed on administrative leave, a move that has only deepened divisions within the agency.
These agents were directly involved in the failed security plan at Butler, yet others, including those on Trump’s permanent protective detail who were also involved in the planning, remain on duty.
This unequal treatment has fueled speculation that the Pittsburgh office might be scapegoated, while the real culprits in Washington remain untouched.
During a heated Senate committee meeting on July 30, Rowe expressed frustration over the unguarded rooftop from which the shooter, Thomas Crooks, launched his attack.
Rowe pledged that any breaches of protocol would be met with severe disciplinary action. Yet, sources within the Secret Service argue that the blame extends beyond field agents and should include senior officials in Washington.
These officials, they say, likely rejected critical security measures for the rally, despite the heightened threat level from an Iranian assassination plot against Trump.
Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle’s resignation in late July, following bipartisan criticism, has done little to quell demands for accountability. Critics argue that the leadership, including Rowe, who was Cheatle’s deputy, bears significant responsibility for the agency’s failures.
Adding to the turmoil, former Secret Service agent and conservative commentator Dan Bongino publicly criticized Rowe and the agency’s leadership, calling for a complete overhaul.
Bongino, reflecting the sentiments of many within the agency, condemned the “apocalyptic security failure” and accused the upper echelons of the Secret Service of gross mismanagement.
The internal discord within the Secret Service is compounded by allegations of favoritism and retribution. Sources reveal that mid-level managers in D.C. often reduce security assets to cut costs, a practice that may have contributed to the failures in Butler.
Moreover, whistleblowers have come forward, accusing agency leaders of creating a toxic culture where favoritism and fear stifle accountability.
As the investigation into the Butler rally continues, the agency faces mounting pressure to address not only the immediate security failures but also the deeper issues within its ranks. Rowe, in a recent all-hands call, promised a “paradigm” overhaul and a push for budget increases to prevent future failures.
However, the path forward for the Secret Service remains fraught with challenges, as internal dissent and external scrutiny show no signs of abating.
This piece was written by LifeZette News Staff on August 22, 2024. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.
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Source: https://www.rvmnews.com/2024/08/trumps-life-endangered-secret-service-agents-placed-on-leave/
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