Butler, Pennsylvania – Ronald Rowe Jr., deputy director of the U.S. Secret Service, has been named acting director of the embattled agency after Kimberly Cheatle announced her resignation.
Rowe is scheduled to testify on Tuesday, exactly one week after Cheatle’s testimony that ultimately led to his resignation.
Rowe takes over the Secret Service at a time when public officials and the public are becoming increasingly wary of the agency in the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Trump.
As acting director, Rowe has been thrust to the forefront of the House Oversight Committee investigation into the department’s failings that nearly allowed 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks to kill President Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 13.
Secret Service Director Cheetah resigns amid growing pressure following Trump assassination attempt
Interim Director of the U.S. Secret Service Ronald Rowe leaves the U.S. Capitol after a briefing with senators, Thursday, July 25, 2024. Former director Kimberly Cheatle resigned on Tuesday. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Cheatle announced his resignation after a fiery hearing before the House Oversight Committee on July 22 and amid bipartisan calls for him to step down.
“I take full responsibility for any security failings. In light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision to step down from my position on the board,” she said in her resignation letter.
Rowe is currently responsible for leading more than 7,800 special agents, uniformed officers, technical law enforcement officers, and administrative and technical staff.
Trump responds to Secret Service director’s resignation: ‘She didn’t give me adequate protection’
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle testifies before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on July 22, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Rowe has served with the Secret Service for 24 years and has held numerous leadership positions within the agency.
Prior to joining the Secret Service, Rowe served with the West Palm Beach Police Department in Florida.
West Palm Beach Police Deputy Chief Tony Spatala He told CBS 12 Lowe is described as “highly intelligent” and “multi-talented.”
“Knowing him personally, I am extremely proud of the way he has achieved and exceeded his goals with the Secret Service,” Spatala said. “Ron is an incredibly intelligent man, with many talents and a wealth of experience.”
Spatala told local media that Lowe was up for the challenge of leading the agency and that selecting him was the “right decision.”
“I think he’s absolutely the right person for the job. I think it was the right decision to select him,” he said. “I don’t know anybody in this country better qualified to take on the challenges that are coming.”
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas expressed gratitude to Ronald Rowe Jr. for stepping down as acting director following the resignation of Kimberly Cheatle.
In a statement, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas thanked Rowe for stepping in at an “extremely challenging time” in the agency’s history.
“I appreciate his willingness to lead the Secret Service during this extremely challenging time as the service works to determine the truth of what happened on July 13 and cooperates with ongoing investigations and congressional oversight,” Mayorkas said.
Top 5 moments from the Secret Service director’s hours-long interrogation after the Trump assassination attempt
“The Secret Service is the world’s premier security agency and has one of the most difficult and demanding jobs in our government,” he said. “I have the utmost confidence in Deputy Director Rowe and the men and women of the Secret Service. They put their lives on the line every day and deserve our full support.”
Former President Trump was shot during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024, and was quickly carried off the stage. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
President Biden is now tasked with selecting the next Secret Service leader, and has announced that he expects to make a selection “in the near future.”
Click here to get the FOX News app
“The independent investigation to determine what happened on July 13th continues, and I look forward to evaluating its conclusions. We all know what happened that day can never happen again,” Biden wrote. “I wish Kim the best of luck as we move forward, and I expect to appoint a new secretary in the near future.”
