Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Mike Lee, Sen. Ron Johnson, Sen. Rick Scott, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, and Sen. Josh Hawley, expressed concerns and called for further investigation following a press conference by acting U.S. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe regarding the assassination attempt on former President Trump at a rally in July. Lee believed that there was more to the story than what Rowe shared with reporters, and expressed shock at the lack of accountability from officials. Johnson suspected a cover-up and called for a detailed investigation to uncover the truth.
A poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that only three in 10 Americans are extremely or very confident in the Secret Service’s ability to keep presidential candidates safe since the assassination attempt on Trump. Sen. Rick Scott appreciated Rowe’s decision to hold a press conference to update the public on the investigation, and encouraged ongoing updates from both the Secret Service and the FBI to restore trust and hold individuals accountable for the failures that occurred.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn emphasized the critical nature of the Secret Service’s mission, stating that when they fail, people die. The tragic events in Butler, Pennsylvania, were a direct result of the agency’s failure, and Blackburn stressed the importance of addressing whistleblower concerns and ensuring genuine accountability. Sen. Josh Hawley criticized the Secret Service for a lack of knowledge about events transpiring over nearly two hours at the rally they were in charge of, calling it inexcusable.
During the press conference, Rowe took full responsibility for the security failure that allowed Thomas Matthew Crooks to shoot Trump in the ear at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. He acknowledged the mission failure and pledged to ensure such failures do not happen again. Rowe committed to cooperating with congressional oversight investigations, an independent review ordered by President Biden, and an internal review by the Secret Service. He also stated that individuals found to have violated policies would be held accountable through a fair and thorough disciplinary process.
The Republican lawmakers continued to express their concerns about the Secret Service’s role in the assassination attempt, calling for a more transparent and detailed investigation to uncover the truth. They emphasized the need for accountability and restoration of public trust in the agencies responsible for protecting presidential candidates. It remains to be seen how the ongoing investigations and reviews will address the concerns raised by the lawmakers and the public regarding the failures that occurred at the Trump rally in July.
