Acting US Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe has addressed claims made by a local SWAT team regarding a lack of briefing from the federal agency before providing security at a rally in Butler. Rowe stated that the local team's leader did, in fact, receive a briefing from the USSS prior to the event.
Rowe responded to a statement from the SWAT team, which had assisted with security at the rally, that they did not receive a briefing from the Secret Service on the morning of the event. He clarified that the tactical team leader in charge of the counter-sniper element was briefed by USSS personnel.
Members of the Beaver County SWAT team had previously stated in an interview that they were expecting a face-to-face briefing with the Secret Service upon their arrival in Butler, but such a meeting did not occur as planned.
Jason Woods, a sniper on the team, mentioned that they were supposed to have a direct briefing with the Secret Service agents upon their arrival, but this did not materialize as anticipated.
