The new acting director of the Secret Service is set to testify before Congress on Tuesday, accompanied by a senior FBI official, concerning the assassination attempt against former President Trump.
Acting director Ronald Rowe Jr. and FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate will participate in a joint hearing with the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees. This marks the first appearance of a Secret Service member before Congress since the resignation of former chief Kimberly Cheatle earlier this month.
The Secret Service has not yet responded to requests for Rowe’s prepared remarks to the committees.
Rowe takes charge of the Secret Service as both elected officials and the public express growing concerns about the agency in light of the assassination attempt on former President Trump.
SECRET SERVICE DIRECTOR CHEATLE RESIGNS UNDER INCREASING PRESSURE FOLLOWING TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
The new acting director of the Secret Service (pictured) will testify before Congress on Tuesday alongside a senior FBI official regarding the assassination attempt against former President Trump. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Rowe now oversees more than 7,800 special agents, officers from the uniformed division, and technical law enforcement personnel, along with administrative and technical staff.
Before joining the Secret Service, Rowe served in the West Palm Beach Police Department in Florida. West Palm Beach Assistant Police Chief Tony Spatara told CBS 12 that Rowe is “very intelligent” and “well-rounded.”
“Personally knowing him, I am very proud that he has achieved his goals and then some within the Secret Service,” Spatara remarked. “Ron is an extremely intelligent individual, well-rounded, with a wealth of experience.”
TRUMP SHOOTING: TIMELINE OF ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
Matthew Crooks departs an office building in Pittsburgh, PA, on Monday, July 29, 2024. He is the father of would-be Trump assassin, Thomas Crooks. (DWS for Fox News Digital)
Tuesday’s hearing follows the FBI’s release of new information concerning the investigation into the potential presidential assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks. The FBI informed the media on Monday that Crooks had a long-standing “interest in science” and “experiments,” leading his family to “not be concerned” about the many packages he was receiving at their residence.
TRUMP REACTS TO RESIGNATION OF SECRET SERVICE DIRECTOR: ‘SHE NEVER GAVE ME PROPER PROTECTION’
“The shooter had an ongoing interest in science and similar matters, where he was engaged in experiments over a period of time,” explained Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office. “Because of that, [his family] was not alarmed that [the packages] seemed targeted towards carrying out an attack that could harm others.”
Crooks, aged 20, completed 25 gun-related purchases online between spring 2023 and the early part of this year, in addition to buying materials used to manufacture explosives six times, all under aliases, according to the agency.
A map outlining key locations of interest related to the investigation of Thomas Crooks’ attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, July 13, 2024. (Provided by Senator Chuck Grassley)
President Biden now faces the responsibility of selecting a permanent director for the Secret Service. In a statement, Biden mentioned that he intends to make his decision “soon.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“An independent review is currently underway to determine the facts behind what occurred on July 13, and I look forward to reviewing its findings. It’s clear that the events of that day should never be repeated,” Biden stated. “As we move ahead, I wish Kim all the best and will plan to appoint a new Director shortly.”
Fox News’ Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Christina Coulter contributed to this report
