Secret Service Director's Testimony on Attempted Assassination of Trump

On July 30, Acting U.S. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. testified before a Senate committee regarding the agency's security lapses during the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on July 13. Rowe revealed that Trump's security detail was unaware of an armed individual on a nearby rooftop, highlighting a significant breakdown in communication between local law enforcement and the Secret Service. He emphasized that critical information about the potential threat did not reach the agency's officers in time. During the hearing, Rowe displayed images illustrating the Secret Service's limited view of the rooftop from which the assailant, identified as Crooks, fired multiple shots. The testimony raised concerns about the agency's preparedness and response to threats, with Rowe stating, "Nothing about a man on the roof, nothing about a man with a gun." The incident resulted in one fatality and injuries to at least two others, underscoring the gravity of the security breach. FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate also provided insights, revealing that investigators had uncovered a social media account linked to Crooks. The account reportedly contained extreme views, including anti-Semitic and anti-immigration sentiments, and advocated for political violence. Abbate's comments suggested a troubling ideological motive behind the attack. Rowe concluded his testimony with a stark warning, comparing the incident to the infamous Texas School Book Depository shooting, and expressed urgency in addressing the security vulnerabilities exposed by the event.