07.30.24

Durbin Questions FBI, Secret Service During The Senate Judiciary, Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committees' Bipartisan Joint Oversight Hearing On Trump Assassination Attempt

During his questioning, Durbin received commitment from FBI, USSS that they are implementing proper security ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Ronald L. Rowe, Jr., Acting Director of the United States Secret Service (USSS), and Paul Abbate, Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), during a Senate Judiciary Committee, in partnership with the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, hearing entitled “Examination of the Security Failures Leading to the Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump.” The committees heard testimony from USSS and FBI officials about the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a Butler, Pennsylvania rally on July 13.

Durbin began his questioning by asking about security at the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

“In 20 days, we are going to start the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. I have been briefed by the law enforcement agencies’ plans for security for that event. Tens of thousands of people will be there, including some of the highest-ranking politicians in the United States. I trust that both of your agencies can answer in the affirmative if I ask you whether you’re actively engaged in working with the development of security plans [and] taking into consideration the lessons of July 13?” Durbin said.

Mr. Rowe responded, “Senator, that is a 100 percent yes from the Secret Service.” Mr. Abbate also responded, “yes, from the FBI as well. We’ve been working on this for well over a year in preparation.”

Durbin then asked about staffing shortages at the Secret Service.

“Congress has nearly doubled the budget for the Secret Service over the past 10 years—from $1.8 billion in fiscal year 2014 to over $3 billion in fiscal year 2024. Despite this large increase in funding, the number of agents in protective operations has fallen from 4,027 to 3,671 during that same time period, an approximately nine percent reduction. Acting Director Rowe, what accounts for protective operations losing 356 agents over the past 10 years?” Durbin asked.

Mr. Rowe responded that various factors have contributed to these staffing shortages including the COVID-19 pandemic or other opportunities. Despite these shortages, Mr. Rowe explained, “We have not dropped standards. Only two percent of every applicant actually makes it through the hiring process. We are filling our classes at the federal law enforcement training center. We are doing this ramp-up as part of what lies ahead of us with the L.A. Olympics in 2028. With respect to what has happened in years prior, this is a difficult and challenging job—being a Secret Service agent.”

Durbin then asked about the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which has determined that restaffing from these losses has been slow due to a number of factors, including the years-long background checks for prospective agents and the assignments agents must work before being assigned to protection.

“Given these constraints, what steps are being taken to improve recruitment of prospective agents to the Secret Service?” Durbin asked.

Mr. Rowe responded, “We’re actually putting out targeted recruitment opportunities—we’ve just recently put it out within our uniform division, for our counter sniper unit, our hazardous agent medical emergency response unit, [and] our counter assault team on the special agent side. We’re trying to gather the best and the brightest. And I will tell you that we are having great success with a lot of these vacancies. But what I want to reiterate is that, for example, on the counter assault vacancy, we had 700 applicants that applied for this. Really what we will glean after they make it through the process, and they have to be able to hold a top secret S.C.I. clearance… It's very competitive. And we are trying to make sure that we are getting the best and the brightest without dropping standards.”

Durbin then addressed the issue of why the assassin was not viewed as an immediate threat, in light of the range finder he was spotted holding.

“What is the purpose of a range finder and once this assassin was identified as using a range finder, wasn’t that proof positive that he was a dangerous individual?” Durbin asked.

Mr. Rowe responded, “I'll say that obviously somebody is trying to determine where they are in proximity to a location. A fixed location… I believe it was a recreation or sports-related—I thought I'd read that it was a golf range finder. Nonetheless, it still would have provided him the ability to provide the distance that he was away from his intended target.”

Durbin said, “Wasn’t that enough?”

Mr. Rowe replied, “As far as raising suspicion. I think he was identified as raising suspicion by local law enforcement.”

Durbin concluded, “And nothing happened.”

Video of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s question in Committee is available here for TV stations.

Durbin announced the bipartisan hearing with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rand Paul (R-KY), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

The hearing follows a joint briefing on Thursday, July 25 for the Committees with USSS and FBI, where the agencies assured Senators that they will do everything in their power to ensure proper coordination with local and state authorities and address all potential vulnerabilities at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, among other things. The Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction and oversight authority over the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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