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From the New York Times: The Secret Service did not search the perimeter of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Sunday before former President Donald J. Trump began his round, an acknowledgment that has put the besieged agency under renewed scrutiny two months after a similar episode in Pennsylvania.
The decision raises further questions about whether the Secret Service has the resources and ability to adequately perform its duties during a time of increasing violence and a unique campaign between a sitting vice president and a former president.
While the agency’s acting director hailed a Secret Service agent for acting swiftly and preventing any harm to Mr. Trump on Sunday, the F.B.I. said that data from a gunman’s cellphone indicated he spent almost 12 hours near the course before he aimed a rifle in the direction of Mr. Trump while he was golfing.
In remarks to reporters at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office on Monday afternoon, Ronald L. Rowe Jr., the Secret Service’s acting director, said, “The president wasn’t even really supposed to go there.”
“This was an off-the-record movement…. it wasn’t a part of [Trump’s] schedule… he wasn’t supposed to have gone there in the first place,” Rowe claimed.
USSS Acting Director Ronald Rowe on Trump’s movement on the day of attempted assassination. pic.twitter.com/p1wRB15jo6
— The National Desk (@TND) September 16, 2024
Acting U.S. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe: “The protective methodologies of the Secret Service were effective yesterday. The former president’s protective apparatus allowed for the early identification of the threat and led to a safe evacuation.” pic.twitter.com/Yku2cWAzpa
— CSPAN (@cspan) September 16, 2024
Former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino wrote in a social media post, “Ron Rowe taking another victory lap for the failures. Absolutely incredible to watch. This man is an embarrassment.”
Ron Rowe taking another victory lap for the failures. Absolutely incredible to watch. This man is an embarrassment.
— Dan Bongino (@dbongino) September 16, 2024
Indefensible. 100% indefensible.
This has got to be one of the most egregious failures of all time.Secret Service Admits Not Searching Golf Course Perimeter, Drawing New Scrutiny https://t.co/gkpZ55oGXR
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) September 17, 2024
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