On July 30, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on the Judiciary held a joint hearing on the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, questioning Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe and FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate were questioned.
In his opening statement, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) asked about what he was told by local law enforcement when he visited the site in Butler, Pennsylvania with other members of Congress: that no one from the Secret Service had talked to local law enforcement since the shooting. How would it be possible for the Secret Service to carry on an investigation if they aren’t talking to the local officials? he asked.
Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe claimed in his opening testimony that the Secret Service did attend a security briefing with local law enforcement and that none of the Secret Service agents knew there was a suspicious person with a gun. He said he wanted to debunk what he termed conspiracy theories, including the notion that the counter-snipers needed prior authorization before opening fire.
In his opening statement, FBI Deputy Director Abbate presented a timeline including portions which agreed with the timeline collected by Homeland Security Committee ranking member Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI). Senator Johnson had assembled a timeline immediately after July 13 by talking to local law enforcement, whereas the FBI and the Secret Service had dragged their feet.
Homeland Security Committee Chairman Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) asked why no one was posted in the second story of the AGR building looking at the roof line where the shooter was. He asked about local law enforcement reports which stated they had no way to get in touch with the Secret Service.
Senator Johnson pointed out that if Rowe didn’t want conspiracy theories to spread, then they should have given information from the beginning. For example, the photos Rowe brought to the hearing should have been released earlier. He demanded the immediate release of transcripts from 13 interviews that have been held with members of the Secret Service, as well as recorded radio conversations between local law enforcement and Secret Service on July 13. Rowe stated that the recordings were not saved, but that they would be in the future. Senator Johnson pointed out that Rowe’s statement contradicted local law enforcement on the issue of the Secret Service being present at the security briefing on the morning of July 13.
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) forcefully challenged Rowe and Abbate on the absolute necessity for press conferences. Indeed, the fact that it has taken them so long to hold press briefings is quite unusual.
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) demanded that Rowe immediately fire those in the Secret Service responsible for the failures of July 13. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Rand Paul, and others, also made similar points.
Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) asked Rowe when it was that the counter-snipers first saw the shooter on the roof. Rowe stated that he believed they didn’t see him until shots were fired, because the shooter was obscured by the roof. Kennedy challenged that explanation, insisting that they must have seen him prior. (An eyewitness video contradicts Rowe’s claim, showing that the shooter can be seen on the roof prior to the shooting.)
Senator Peters closed by demanding to speak directly with members in the Secret Service in days, not weeks. Rowe agreed to make the agents available.
