Acting Secret Service head cut threat assessment agents before Trump rally: whistleblower

A whistleblower has claimed that the acting head of the Secret Service (USSS) cut agents from the threat assessment team prior to an assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.

Sen. Josh Hawley wrote to Acting USSS Director Ronald Rowe, stating the Counter Surveillance Division (CSD) failed to assess the Butler site and was absent on the day of the event.

Hawley highlighted that CSD typically evaluates potential security threats and could have mitigated them during the rally.

The whistleblower suggested that had CSD personnel been present, the gunman could have been apprehended.

Hawley accused Rowe of personally directing a 20% manpower reduction in CSD, which was not disclosed during Senate testimony.