Show-Me State Times

On August 23, 2024, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe following new whistleblower allegations that question Rowe’s testimony regarding the denial of additional security assets for former President Trump’s event in Butler, Pennsylvania.

“[O]fficials at Secret Service headquarters encouraged agents in charge of the trip not to request any additional security assets in its formal manpower request—effectively denying these assets through informal means,” wrote Senator Hawley.

He continued, “These new allegations suggest that CSD personnel, counter-sniper teams, and other critical security assets were not included in the manpower request for the Butler trip because Secret Service officials told the requesting agents that they would be denied. […] Yet you have repeatedly suggested that no security assets had been denied for the Butler event. You must explain this apparent contradiction immediately.”

As a member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Hawley has continued to investigate the attempted assassination of former President Trump. He has personally surveyed the Butler site and publicized multiple whistleblower allegations. Previous allegations note loose security at the Trump rally, abandoned posts on the roof where the shooter was located, and scaled-back security due to decisions by Acting Director Rowe. He has also called for suspending the lead site agent for the Butler rally. Whistleblowers with information are encouraged to contact Senator Hawley’s office.

On July 30, Senator Hawley questioned Acting Director Rowe in a Senate hearing. The Acting Director confirmed that the Secret Service did refuse drones from local law enforcement—a detail brought to light by a whistleblower in contact with Senator Hawley’s office.

Read the full letter here or below:

August 23, 2024

The Honorable Ronald L. Rowe, Jr.

Acting Director

U.S. Secret Service

245 Murray Ln SW, Building T-5

Washington, D.C. 20223

Dear Acting Director Rowe,

I have received new whistleblower allegations that again call into question your recent testimony before the Senate. One whistleblower with knowledge of Secret Service planning for former President Trump’s trip to Butler, Pennsylvania alleges that officials at Secret Service headquarters encouraged agents in charge of the trip not to request any additional security assets in its formal manpower request—effectively denying these assets through informal means. Yet you have repeatedly suggested that no security assets had been denied for the Butler event. You must explain this apparent contradiction immediately.

According to the whistleblower, the lead advance agent for a protectee trip typically submits a “manpower request” to the local field office. This normally includes personnel and other security assets needed for the event and is submitted to the U.S. Secret Service’s Office of Protective Operations – Manpower (OPO – Manpower) for final approval. According to allegations, officials within this office preemptively informed Pittsburgh field office that Butler rally was not going to receive additional resources because Trump is a former president and not incumbent President or Vice President. According to whistleblower, manpower request did not include extra resources because agents on ground were told not ask them first place.

Importantly, these resources included counter-sniper teams and Counter Surveillance Division (CSD) personnel. According public reports counter-snipers ultimately approved but only day prior event leaving insufficient time conduct proper site assessment previously written separate allegation my office personnel from CSD would handcuffed gunman parking lot after spotted rangefinder but present day stated August press conference support details when requested But new suggest CSD counter-sniper teams critical left out because officials told requesting denied

These come despite contrary before Senate July When asked whether team denied stated If talking about all requested approved directly very transparent forthcoming Congress But according full story

Your actions place some field agents leave enough These serious failures protect extended top agency answer following questions publicly:

Who within OPO Manpower informed Pittsburgh field office/agents charge include additional left prompting officials? Has individual(s) disciplined?

Which specific left out prompting?

Did personal knowledge Pittsburgh leave out testified before Senate?

Please provide copy submitted OPO-Manpower trip.

Sincerely,

Josh Hawley

United States Senator