The acting director of the Secret Service has “ordered a paradigm shift” following what appeared to be an assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump.
Speaking to the media on Monday, local time, acting director Ronald Rowe Jr. said the Secret Service’s current methodologies were “sound” but called for a reevaluation due to changing threat levels.
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During his appearance, Mr Rowe spoke on the actions of the Secret Service agent who disengaged the suspect, 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh.
“He did not fire or get off any shots at our agent,” Mr Rowe said.
“With reports of gunfire, the former president’s close protection detail immediately evacuated the president to a safe location.
“The protective methodologies of the Secret Service were effective yesterday,” Rowe added.
Routh was arrested following the incident, and prosecutors brought gun charges against him related to possessing a firearm as a felon and possessing a firearm with a defaced serial number.
In the charging documents, an FBI special agent said Routh’s phone had spent nearly 12 hours in the vicinity of the tree line at the Trump International Golf Club, and that he had previously been convicted on a felony charge of possessing “a weapon of mass death and destruction” after being found with a fully automatic gun.
Meanwhile, Trump took to social media to express his gratitude to those who have reached out, particularly thanking the Secret Service and the officers involved.
“I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes—it was certainly an interesting day!”
“Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and all of law enforcement for the incredible job done today at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican Nominee in the upcoming Presidential Election, SAFE.”