After almost being assassinated two times, Trump has some plans for the Secret Service. And not everyone is happy about it.
And now the Secret Service was handed a massive wake-up call from Donald Trump.
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his historic second inauguration, changes are already on the horizon for the U.S. Secret Service.
Reports indicate Trump is poised to overhaul the agency’s leadership, signaling a new direction following months of scrutiny and controversy.
Ronald Rowe, the current acting director of the Secret Service, has led the agency since July 2024. He assumed the role after Kimberly Cheatle resigned in the wake of a shocking assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania in July.
The incident exposed serious lapses in the agency’s ability to secure the event and protect its high-profile charge.
The assassination attempt on July 13 thrust the Secret Service into the national spotlight. During a contentious testimony before a bipartisan House task force investigating the incident, Rowe admitted to significant failures under his leadership.
“July 13 was a failure of the Secret Service to adequately secure the Butler Farm Show site and protect President-elect Trump,” Rowe stated.
“That abject failure underscored critical gaps in Secret Service operations, and I recognize that we did not meet the expectations of the American public, Congress, and our protectees, and they rightly have that idea based on how we performed.”
The fallout from the Butler incident has fueled calls for accountability and reform within the agency.
An independent review panel that examined the event identified multiple deficiencies, including poor accountability, communication breakdowns, and a lack of critical thinking. Among their top recommendations: bringing in leadership from outside the agency.
“Moreover, the Panel strongly believes it is important that: (a) the new leadership of the Service come from outside the Service rather than internal promotion, and (b) the newly selected Director be allowed to bring in the leadership team he or she thinks most fit,” the panel’s report concluded.
“The events of Butler suggest that there is an urgent need for fresh thinking informed by external experience and perspective.”
This recommendation has fueled speculation that Sean Curran, a close associate of Trump, may soon be tapped to replace Rowe as director. Curran currently oversees Trump’s personal security detail, managing a team of 85 people, and is regarded as a trusted ally of the president-elect.
While critics have raised concerns about Curran’s lack of experience within the Secret Service, others argue that his outsider status could be an asset.
The review panel itself noted that new leadership unencumbered by the agency’s internal culture could bring much-needed reform and a fresh perspective.
“New, external leadership will still undoubtedly draw on subordinates with deep experience within the Service to aid them in their acclimation, but ultimately, the non-Service perspective will benefit the protective mission during this critical juncture,” the report emphasized.
At this time, Trump has yet to officially nominate Curran—or anyone else—for the role. However, with his inauguration just days away, a decision is expected soon.
This potential shake-up underscores Trump’s determination to address failures within the federal bureaucracy and ensure the safety and security of the presidency.
If Curran is chosen, his appointment would mark a dramatic shift for the Secret Service, signaling an era of reform and renewed focus on its mission to protect the nation’s leaders.
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