Butler rally was the first event Secret Service deployed counter snipers to Trump detail: acting director
Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. revealed the Butler rally was the first event where Secret Service counter snipers were deployed to former President Trump's detail.
Former President Trump was afforded extra protection the day his ear was grazed by a bullet, according to a top security official.
"It was the first time Secret Service counter snipers were deployed to support the former president's detail," Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. revealed during a press conference Friday afternoon.
"The former president at campaign rallies has actually been getting state and local resources — tactical assets, counter snipers from state and locals. So, with respect to why they were there in Butler, we evaluate our threat landscape every day. We calibrate based on that threat. We evaluated a threat stream that we have, and we put our Secret Service counter sniper personnel out there."
Trump was shot in the ear by 20-year-old Thomas Crooks while speaking during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, July 13.
Since the shooting, various new details have emerged regarding the event, including texts that showed officers were aware of Crooks 90 minutes before the shooting.
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Soon after, the House of Representatives held a hearing to question Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who stepped down due to mounting pressure from both Democrats and Republicans.
Following the hearing, the House launched a bipartisan task force to further investigate the assassination attempt. The task force is led by Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., whose district includes the site of the shooting, and Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., a retired Army Ranger.
The panel also includes several other members, including Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn.; Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla.; Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa.; and Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md.