The United States Secret Service leadership is under fire after an inside source claimed they are the “kings of cover-up.” A veteran agent of the USSS spoke with Fox News Digital about the agency’s management and what he sees as the root of its failures to prevent the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
The agent, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, criticized the lack of communication, personnel, and use of technology within the agency, all of which he attributed to leadership issues. He defended the USSS personnel on the ground in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the assassination attempt took place, stating that the blame lies with those in leadership positions.
Acting USSS Director Ronald Rowe came under scrutiny during his Capitol Hill testimony, where he appeared to blame local police for not detecting the shooter on a rooftop. However, the district attorney of Butler County disputed Rowe’s account, leading some senators to accuse the agency of trying to shift blame onto others.
The veteran agent also highlighted recruitment problems within the USSS, describing the agency as “horrible at retention and hiring.” A recent poll revealed that most Americans do not trust the Secret Service to keep presidential candidates safe from violence, especially in the aftermath of the Trump rally shooting.
With concerns about the agency’s leadership and capabilities mounting, the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service, faces pressure to conduct a thorough investigation into the assassination attempt. The future of the USSS remains uncertain as questions about its effectiveness and accountability continue to swirl.
