A congressional hearing investigating two attempts on the life President Trump turned into a fiery spectacle Thursday as tensions boiled over between Rep. Pat Fallon and acting U.S. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe. What was supposed to be a detailed examination of security lapses devolved into a shouting match that underscored the deep divisions within the government over Trump’s safety and the handling of these incidents.
The flashpoint came when Fallon displayed a photo from a September 11 memorial ceremony showing Joe Biden and President Trump, while pointedly asking why Rowe, the Secret Service’s acting director, was nowhere to be seen. Fallon pressed Rowe on his absence, accusing him of prioritizing optics over operational readiness. Rowe, visibly frustrated, responded that as acting director, his role demanded behind-the-scenes coordination rather than standing visibly near the president-elect.
Then things got personal. Rowe invoked his experience at Ground Zero on 9/11, recalling his work in the ashes of the World Trade Center. “I was there going through the rubble,” Rowe shot back, accusing Fallon of using 9/11 as a cheap political ploy. Fallon wasn’t having it, insisting that his questions were legitimate and aimed at protecting Trump. The heated exchange escalated, with both men shouting over each other until the committee chair was forced to intervene.
At the Trump assassination hearing, chaos erupts after Rep. Pat Fallon asks Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe about his appearing as a dignitary, rather than for security at a 9/11 memorial event pic.twitter.com/52EX8C46I5
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) December 5, 2024
At the heart of the investigation are two serious security breaches that rocked the Trump campaign. The first occurred in Pennsylvania, where a gunman fired several shots from a rooftop near a rally. The hearing aimed to determine whether these incidents were preventable or indicative of deeper problems within the Secret Service.
Rowe defended his agency’s performance, arguing that his attendance at the 9/11 memorial did not compromise Trump’s security. He bristled at Fallon’s suggestion that the visit was for “optics,” emphasizing that he was there to honor the victims and uphold the agency’s legacy. Fallon, however, accused Rowe of playing politics, leading to an explosive back-and-forth that overshadowed much of the substantive discussion.
While the hearing ended without clear answers, it highlighted the immense challenges facing the Secret Service during one of the most contentious transitions in recent memory. With a final report expected in mid-December, all eyes remain on the agency to restore confidence and ensure Trump’s safety in the months ahead.
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