Joco Today

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall questioned Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe Jr. during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing to discuss and examine the security failures that allowed an assassination attempt on President Trump and killed an innocent man, Corey Comperatore.

Senator Marshall raised concerns about why the building used by the shooter was not included in the security zone. He stated, "Director Rowe, there were probably ten buildings within sniper range of President Trump on that afternoon. Why was the building being used by the sniper not in the security zone?" In response, Director Rowe acknowledged the oversight: "That’s a question that I’ve asked Senator... It’s something that I again, having been there and walked it, I had a hard time understanding."

Marshall further questioned whether there was any protocol regarding buildings within a certain distance from the president: "There’s no protocol that says anything within 300, 500 yards direct line to the president should be in or out of the security zone?" Rowe explained their general approach: "What we try to do is we try to either control the high ground or mitigate line of sight concerns."

The senator also addressed reports that President Trump's team had been denied additional security assets. He asked, "Who denies that? Who’s the person that denies that, generally speaking?" Rowe described it as part of a process involving conversations with various parties but did not specify an individual responsible for such decisions.

Additionally, Marshall sought clarity on cooperation between local and federal law enforcement on the day of the assassination attempt. He noted discrepancies in accounts: "Did your people meet with local law enforcement the day of the assassination attempt?" While Rowe confirmed such meetings occurred, Marshall pointed out conflicting statements from local law enforcement denying any meeting took place.

Rowe clarified: "Our personnel met with the team lead from Butler ESU. And they discussed areas of concern, areas of responsibility, and that did in fact happen at the site on that day."