During a recent hearing, Republican Sen. Josh Hawley engaged in a heated exchange with Secret Service acting Director Ronald Rowe regarding the security decisions made at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
Senator Hawley criticized Rowe for not taking action against individuals involved in the security lapses during the event. He repeatedly questioned why no one had been fired in connection to the incident.
Rowe, in response, defended his position by stating that he did not want to rush to judgment. He assured that those responsible for the failures would be held accountable once the ongoing investigations were completed.
The exchange escalated when Hawley pointed out the severity of the situation by mentioning the potential danger faced by the former president. He emphasized the need for accountability by stating, “Is it not prima facie that somebody has failed?”
Rowe, visibly frustrated, compared the situation to the Texas School Book Depository incident and expressed his personal distress over the events of that day. He acknowledged losing sleep over the matter for the past 17 days.
Despite Hawley's insistence on taking immediate action by firing individuals, Rowe stood firm in his decision not to rush to judgment. He emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough investigation to ensure fairness and avoid unjust persecution.
Rowe reiterated the need for a proper examination of the circumstances surrounding the security failures before any disciplinary actions could be taken. He emphasized the significance of allowing the investigative process to unfold before making any decisions.