Acting U.S. Secret Service (USSS) Director Ronald Rowe Jr. admitted that agents failed to secure the perimeter of former President Donald Trump's Florida golf course, where a Democratic activist allegedly attempted an assassination.

According to Rowe, the failure occurred because Trump’s visit to the golf course was not part of his official schedule, as the Post Millennial reports.

The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, was intercepted after being spotted by Secret Service agents, but only after camping near the perimeter for several hours.

On Sunday, Trump made an unscheduled trip to his Florida golf course, a move that led to gaps in the usual security procedures. USSS agents did not perform a standard sweep of the perimeter since the golf game was not officially planned, Rowe explained during a press conference.

Democratic Activist Suspected of Assassination Attempt

Routh, a 58-year-old activist, is accused of camping out near the perimeter of the golf course in an alleged assassination attempt on the former president.

The suspect reportedly remained hidden for approximately 12 hours before being detected by security personnel. He was noticed pointing a gun through the bushes surrounding the course.

According to Rowe, the lack of a security sweep was due to the off-the-record nature of Trump’s golfing plan. While the Secret Service had a general security plan in place, the situation only escalated when Routh’s suspicious activity was detected by agents “...being alert enough to spot the danger in the bushes,” Rowe commented, acknowledging the vigilance of the agents on site. Routh fled the scene after being intercepted but was quickly apprehended by law enforcement a short time later.

DeSantis Calls for Separate Investigation

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered a state-led investigation into the incident, expressing concerns that the charges against Routh were insufficient. The suspect currently faces firearms-related charges, but DeSantis believes the situation calls for a more thorough review.

DeSantis also referenced a previous incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, where another assassination attempt had raised similar unanswered questions.

“There are still things we need to address, and I’m not satisfied with the level of charges,” DeSantis remarked during a press briefing.

Security Oversight Raises Concerns

Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle recently resigned due to bipartisan pressure over several security concerns, some of which have now been echoed in the Florida incident.

Rowe has since taken over as the acting director, vowing to review the Secret Service’s security protocols and ensure no similar oversights occur in the future.

The acting director stated that while Trump’s visit was unplanned, “...we put together a security plan — and that security plan worked,” but he acknowledged the gaps that allowed Routh to get as close as he did before being noticed.

Investigators Seek Answers

As investigations continue, both federal and state law enforcement are working to determine Routh's motives and how he managed to avoid detection for such an extended period.

The incident has raised questions about how the Secret Service handles off-schedule activities for high-profile individuals like Trump.

While no one was injured in the alleged assassination attempt, the situation has sparked concerns about the adequacy of security measures for public figures, especially when plans change at the last minute.

Conclusion: Security Procedures Under Review

The Secret Service is now reviewing its protocols following the incident at Trump’s Florida golf course. Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect in the assassination attempt, had camped near the course for over 12 hours without being noticed. Due to the unscheduled nature of Trump’s visit, the usual perimeter security checks were not performed.

Routh was eventually intercepted by vigilant agents, but Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered a deeper investigation, arguing that more charges should be filed. The incident has led to further scrutiny of the Secret Service’s handling of security for off-the-record events.