Tempers flared between the acting director of the U.S. Secret Service and a Republican congressman during a hearing regarding possible lapses in protection that possibly led to two apparent assassination attempts at President-elect Donald Trump.
The shouting match occurred Thursday between acting Secret Service director Ronald Rowe and Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas), per a report on Fox News.
Fallon presented a photo of President Joe Biden and Trump at this year’s 9/11 commemoration ceremony at Ground Zero. Fallon claimed that Rowe, as the special agent in charge at that event, should have been closer to Biden.
“Who is usually at an event like this closest to the President of the United States?” Fallon asked. “Were you the special agent in charge of the detail that day?”
Rowe said the security detail was there, then said Fallon was politicizing 9/11.
“That is the day where we remember more than 3,000 people that have died on 9/11. I actually responded to Ground Zero,” Rowe said. “I was there going through the ashes of the World Trade Center.”
The exchange got heated when Fallon shouted at Rowe, yelling, “I’m not asking that, I’m asking you, if you were … were you the special agent in charge!?”
“Do not invoke 9/11 for political purposes!” Rowe shouted back
“I’m not,” Fallon said, as the committee chairman banged his gavel in an attempt to regain some decorum.
“You are, sir. You are out of line, congressman!” Rowe said. “Way out of line.”
Fallon fired back by accusing Rowe of “playing politics” since he was not answering the question.
“I am a public servant who has served this nation,” Rowe said.
“You will not politicize it!” Rowe said, referring to 9/11.
