Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe announced on September 16th that the Secret Service will be implementing a new approach to protecting current and former presidents following the alleged assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Rowe stated that he had ‘ordered a paradigm shift’ in response to the incident.
The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, was charged with gun-related crimes after allegedly fleeing a golf course where Trump was playing. The Secret Service agent on patrol noticed a rifle barrel and the man fleeing the scene, leading to the arrest.
Rowe emphasized the need for the Secret Service to adapt to the current threat environment by moving from a reactive model to a readiness model. He highlighted staffing shortages and the need for more training for snipers as immediate priorities for the agency.
The Secret Service’s budget is estimated at $3 billion, with $2 billion already allocated. Rowe stressed the importance of policymakers supporting the agency to ensure it can continue operating effectively. Success, he noted, is non-negotiable, and conversations with Congress are crucial in meeting the agency’s needs. Please provide an alternative version.
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