Ronald Rowe: Interim Director of the United States Secret Service
On July 23, 2024, Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the Secretary of Homeland Security, who oversees the Secret Service, named Rowe as the agency's interim head.[10][9][2] In a staff letter obtained by the Associated Press, Rowe stated, "At this moment in time, we must remain focused." "We will rebuild the American public's trust and confidence, as well as the trust placed in us to protect them," he continued.[7]
In testimony before the U.S. Congress in September 2024, Rowe described the attempted assassination of Trump in Pennsylvania as a "failure on multiple levels".[11] After another suspected assassination attempt against Trump took place in Florida, Rowe praised a secret service agent for defending Trump, while acknowledging that the Secret Service failed to sweep the golf course where the attempt took place.[12][13] Following the two assassination attempts against Trump, Rowe ordered a "paradigm shift" for the Secret Service's protective duties, stating that the agency needed to move from a "reactive model" to a "readiness model."[14]
In December 2024, Rowe testified before Congress, taking responsibility for the agency’s failures and outlining corrective measures.[15] He announced initiatives including enhanced technical assets, expanded staffing, improved retention efforts, and a new "chief wellness officer" to support mental health.[15] These reforms aimed to address gaps in intelligence, communication, and protective protocols.[15] The hearing, driven by a bipartisan investigation, included tense exchanges. U.S. representative Pat Fallon criticized Rowe for not deploying additional protective units and for his absence from the rally site after the attack.[16] Rowe refused to answer questions, emphasizing ongoing improvements and rejecting claims of politicizing his role.[15][16]
Rowe has prioritized preparing the Secret Service for future challenges, including the 2028 United States presidential election, with plans to hire nearly 1,000 new special agents by 2025. His leadership also focused on cultural reform, leadership development, and collaboration with partners like DARPA to incorporate advanced technologies, such as autonomous security systems at high-profile sites.[15]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_L._Rowe_Jr.#Interim_Director_of_the_United_States_Secret_Service