Ronald Rowe, Deputy Director of the U.S. Secret Service and former acting director, has announced his retirement after 26 years of service. Rowe took over as acting director following the resignation of Kimberly Cheatle in July, who stepped down under pressure after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. He remained in the role until Sean Curran was appointed director last month.
A U.S. Secret Service spokesperson, Anthony Guglielmi, confirmed Rowe’s retirement, stating that he is currently taking a well-earned break before officially retiring. Rowe played a crucial role in testifying before lawmakers regarding security lapses that allowed the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, to access a rooftop near Trump’s speaking location. His last appearance before the bipartisan task force investigating the incident became contentious when Republican Representative Pat Fallon accused him of politicizing the situation.
Rowe began his career with the Secret Service in 1999, serving in field offices in West Palm Beach and Miami before joining the Presidential Protective Division. Over the years, he also held roles in the agency’s Congressional Affairs Program, served as chief of staff, and later became assistant director for the Office of Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs. In an internal message, Director Sean Curran praised Rowe’s leadership, commending his resilience and dedication during his tenure as acting director.
In the interim, Darryl Volpicelli, the current assistant director for intergovernmental and legislative affairs, has been assigned as acting deputy director. Additionally, Richard Giuditta, Jr., a former New York law firm partner and political appointee, has been named a senior adviser to the agency. Giuditta is the first “Schedule C” political appointee in this role, following a precedent set by Tony Ornato, who served as deputy chief of staff in Trump’s administration.
Curran also announced plans to bring in a senior intelligence official to strengthen the agency’s protective mission with technical and covert expertise, though the official’s identity has not yet been disclosed.
