The U.S. Secret Service said Friday it was to blame for the near-assassination of former President Donald Trump at a July campaign rally, pointing to "complacency" by some of its agents and communication gaps with local police.
"As I've said, this was a failure on the part of the United States Secret Service," said Ronald Rowe, the agency's acting director, at a press conference.
The Secret Service was chiefly responsible for crafting the security plan at the presidential campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania, where assassin Thomas Crooks was able to open fire at Trump before being shot dead.
Line-of-sight issues at the Republican nominee's rally site were known about but not effectively addressed in advance, Rowe went on.
Rowe took over the Secret Service after former Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned from the agency on July 23, just 10 days after the assassination attempt.
Persons:
Donald Trump, I've, Ronald Rowe, Thomas Crooks, Rowe, Trump, Corey Comperatore, Kimberly Cheatle
Organizations:
Service, Secret Service, United States Secret Service, Trump, Republican
Locations:
Butler , Pennsylvania, U.S