A whistleblower has come forward with alarming allegations regarding security lapses at a recent rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where former President Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt. According to the whistleblower, Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. personally directed cuts to the Counter Surveillance Division (CSD), resulting in the threat assessment team failing to perform its usual duties prior to the event.
Senator Josh Hawley has raised concerns about the whistleblower's claims, stating that the CSD, responsible for evaluating security threats at event sites, did not conduct its assessment before the fateful rally on July 13. The whistleblower suggested that if the CSD had been present, the gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, could have been apprehended in the parking lot.
In a letter to Rowe, Senator Hawley emphasized the importance of the CSD's role in identifying and mitigating security risks outside the event perimeter. The whistleblower's allegations point to a critical oversight in security protocols that may have prevented the attempted attack.
During Senate testimony, Rowe acknowledged that the security perimeter for the Butler event should have included the American Glass Research complex, where the incident took place. However, due to the absence of CSD personnel, this oversight was not addressed, leading to potential security vulnerabilities.
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi responded to the allegations, stating that the agency will address Senator Hawley's concerns through official channels. The Secret Service is committed to upholding its security protocols and ensuring the safety of all individuals at public events.
