The acting head of the Secret Service on Thursday engaged Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, in a heated argument over security for President-elect Donald Trump at the 9/11 memorial at ground zero earlier this year.
Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe testified on Thursday before members of the House on the assassination attempts against Trump over the summer. During the hearing, Fallon displayed a photograph of Rowe, Trump, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Vice President-elect JD Vance at the event.
Fallon asked Rowe, "Who is usually, at an event like this, closest to the president of the United States, security-wise?”
Rowe answered, “the SAC of the detail,” meaning the special agent in charge. He also said that the SAC at this time was not included in the photograph because he was standing just out of shot. Rowe said that he attended the event to pay his respects to the victims of 9/11.
"Congressman, what you're not seeing is the [lack] of the detail off out of the picture's view. And that is the day where we remember more than 3,000 people that have died on 9/11," Rowe said. "I actually responded to ground zero. I was there going through the ashes of the World Trade Center. I was there at Fresh Kills."
Fallon said in response to Rowe, "Do not invoke 9/11 for political purposes,” as a shouting match between the two broke out.
"Don't try to bully me," Fallon said at one point. "I am an elected member of Congress, and I'm asking you a serious question and you are playing politics."
Rowe responded, "And I am a public servant who has served this nation and spent time on our country's darkest day. Do not politicize it.”
The acting director repeatedly said Fallon was “out of line” as he claimed that Rowe “endangered President Biden’s life” and “Vice President Harris’ life" because he "put those agents out of position.”
Theodore Bunker ✉
Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.