Rowe says Secret Service has done more with less for decades

 

Ronald Rowe Jr., the acting director of the Secret Service, speaks during a news conference by law enforcement officials, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office in West Palm Beach, Fla., to provide an update on the investigation into the apparent assassination attempt of Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe praised his agents for their response to the second assassination attempt on former President Trump, saying his agency has tackled a series of challenges in the past two months despite limited resources.

Rowe noted that more resources are needed to keep the agency charged with protecting the president and many others at the top of its game.

“The Secret Service operates under a paradox of zero failed missions, but also, that we have done more with less for decades,” he said. “We have immediate needs right now and we have great support.”

After the first attempt on Trump's life in July during a Butler, Pennsylvania, campaign rally, Rowe ordered a shift, focusing on the Secret Service's methodology.

He noted the agency needs more funding for new hires and additional training.

“You can't just give me funding and say ‘Hey, we’re going to make sure that everybody gets overtime,'” said Rowe. “Because the men and women of the Secret Service right now, we are redlining them. And they are rising to this moment and they are meeting the challenges right now."

He cited the past two months in which agents have helped secure the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington and West Palm Beach, Florida, and last week's presidential debate between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

“Our folks are rising to this moment but it requires all of us to be able to have good conversations and make sure that we're getting the Secret Service where it needs to be,” Rowe said.