During a congressional hearing regarding Donald Trump’s security detail, Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe found himself in a heated debate with Texas Representative Pat Fallon on Thursday.
The focus on Trump’s safety heightened after the attempted assassination in July, leading to the resignation of former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle shortly thereafter. A Senate report published in September revealed “preventable” errors by the agency preceding the incident.
During Thursday’s session of the bipartisan congressional task force investigating threats against Trump, a discussion also arose about a memorial event in New York City commemorating the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Fallon, a Republican, indicated that Trump was inadequately protected during the occasion, alleging that Rowe repositioned other agents to increase his own visibility.
“Who typically is positioned closest to the President of the United States at such events?” Fallon inquired. “Were you serving as the special agent in charge of the detail that day?”
“Let me clarify this,” Rowe responded. “Congressman, what you may not be aware of is that the SAC [Special Agent in Charge] of the detail was actually out of the frame. This is a day we honor the memory of over 3,000 lives lost on 9/11.”
“Do not exploit 9/11 for political leverage,” Rowe admonished him moments later amidst their brief exchange.
Fallon shot back: “Don’t attempt to intimidate me!”
“You are crossing the line!” Rowe retorted, while task force Chairman Mike Kelly repeatedly struck his gavel to regain order.
“As an elected representative of Congress, I’m posing a serious question to you,” Fallon pressed on.
Rowe interjected: “And I am a public servant dedicated to this nation.”
