Secret Service director and Republican Pat Fallon get into a shouting match during Trump hearing
The fight between the two began over comments by the representative about Rowe's presence at a 9/11 memorial event.
Ronald Rowe, acting director of the Secret Service.
Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe and Republican Congressman Pat Fallon had a tense moment Thursday during the congressional hearing on the assassination attempts against Donald Trump. The two went so far as to shout at each other as Rowe appeared before the committee.
Rep. Fallon chided Rowe for taking so long to visit the scene of the first attempt on Trump's life in Butler, Pennsylvania. Ronald Rowe assumed the position at the helm of the agency on an interim basis following the resignation of the previous director, Kimberly Cheatle.
During Rowe's appearance before the congressional panel, Fallon asked him several questions regarding other events, including a 9/11 memorial event in New York attended by President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Donald Trump and other top officials.
Fallon asked Rowe if he was the special agent in charge, who would normally be closest to the president. Rowe was quick to say that the agent in command was out of the photo frame. From here, the exchange between the two changed in tone to shouting.
“I actually responded to ground zero. I was there going through the ashes of the World Trade Center. I was there at Fresh Kills…”
"I'm not asking you that," Fallon responded quickly. “I’m asking you if you were the special agent in charge?”
“I was there to show respect for a Secret Service member that died on 9/11,” Rowe shouted back.
“Oh, that’s a bunch of horse hockey!” Fallon interjected.
“Do not invoke 9/11 for political purposes!” Rowe shouted.
"Don't try to bully me," Fallon said. “I am an elected member of Congress and I am asking you a serious question and you are playing politics.”
“And I am a public servant who has served this nation and spent time on our country’s darkest day,” Rowe said. “Do not politicize it!”
The work of the special committee on assassination attempts against Trump continued after this heated exchange that ended with Fallon branding Rowe a "bully."
LATEST
