Shocking Shouting Match Erupts In Trump Assassination Hearing: ‘Do Not Invoke 9/11!’
A House task force investigating two assassination attempts on President-elect Donald Trump descended into chaos Thursday when a heated exchange erupted between Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX) and acting U.S. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe. The confrontation, punctuated by shouting and accusations of politicizing 9/11, highlighted tensions over the Secret Service’s handling of security and the events leading up to the attempted attacks.
The clash occurred after Fallon displayed a photograph of Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump at a September 11 memorial ceremony, pointing out Rowe’s absence from the picture. Fallon questioned Rowe’s role that day, asking why he, as the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the detail, was not visibly present. Rowe said that his position as acting director kept him behind the scenes, ensuring broader operational oversight.
The situation escalated when Rowe, visibly frustrated, recounted his firsthand experiences at Ground Zero in 2001, describing the devastation and his role in recovery efforts. Fallon interrupted, demanding a direct answer to his question about Rowe’s absence in the photo. Rowe shot back, accusing Fallon of using the tragedy of 9/11 as a political weapon.
“I actually responded to Ground Zero. I was there going through the ashes of the World Trade Center!” Rowe yelled.
“Do not invoke 9/11 for political purposes!” Rowe exclaimed, his voice rising. Fallon retorted, insisting his questions were in service of the American people. The shouting match prompted the committee chair to repeatedly call for order as other members attempted to intervene.
The hearing, the task force’s final session, was intended to scrutinize the Secret Service’s lapses in protecting President-elect Trump during two recent assassination attempts.
Fallon suggested that Rowe’s attendance at the 9/11 event was more about optics than duty, a charge Rowe vehemently denied. “I was there to honor the lives lost and the legacy of this agency,” Rowe said, defending his decision to attend the ceremony rather than remain directly on Trump’s security detail.
Rowe also addressed concerns about security lapses, arguing that his presence at the memorial had no operational impact on the protective detail. “Protective operations were not affected,” Rowe insisted. “Don’t try to bully me!”
“I am an elected member of Congress and I’m asking you a serious question and you are playing politics,” Fallon yelled back.
While the hearing aimed to provide clarity on the agency’s failures, the public exchange left many questions unanswered. As the dust settles, the Secret Service faces mounting pressure to rebuild trust and ensure the safety of the president-elect amid one of the most tumultuous transitions in modern U.S. history.
This year, two significant assassination attempts targeted then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, prompting extensive investigations into security protocols and the U.S. Secret Service’s performance. During a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania, a gunman identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks fired eight shots from a rooftop approximately 400 feet from the stage.
The hearings are part of a broader congressional investigation into the Secret Service’s performance during these incidents. A final report with recommendations is expected by December 13.
