Secret Service Accused of Reducing Security for Trump

In the wake of an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, whistleblowers have emerged to challenge claims made by Ronald Rowe, the acting director of the Secret Service. Rowe had denied any involvement in rejecting security requests for Trump, but whistleblowers allege that the agency's leadership retaliated against those who raised concerns about security measures. Senator Josh Hawley emphasized the importance of a Countersurveillance Division threat assessment, which could have enhanced security at the event where the shooting occurred. During a heated exchange, Hawley pressed Rowe for documents related to his tenure as deputy director, criticizing the agency for not holding anyone accountable for the security failure, which he likened to the 1981 assassination attempt on President Reagan. Rowe expressed regret over the incident, stating he was still investigating whether adequate security was in place at the rally, while acknowledging that some denials of security requests had occurred in the past two years. Whistleblowers have reported a culture of fear within the Secret Service, claiming they faced retaliation for voicing concerns about security protocols. One anonymous agent described being reprimanded for conducting polygraph tests to ensure candidates were truthful about drug use, highlighting systemic issues within the agency. Empower Oversight President Tristan Leavitt criticized Secret Service management for failing to acknowledge their mistakes, suggesting that the ongoing whistleblower revelations reflect a deeper problem within the organization. Hawley also noted that security personnel had raised alarms about inadequate local law enforcement training and the lack of vetting for event attendees. The Secret Service has stated they will respond to Hawley's inquiries, as the investigation into the security lapses continues.