GOP Representative Confronts Acting Secret Service Director, Charges Him with Threatening Officials for Political Advantage – One America News Network
OAN Staff Blake Wolf
11:17 AM – Thursday, December 5, 2024
On Thursday, Texas Rep. Pat Fallon found himself embroiled in a fierce argument with acting Secret Service director Ronald Rowe concerning the agency’s lapses in safeguarding President-elect Donald Trump amid two assassination attempts.
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The intense exchange unfolded after Fallon (R-Texas) inquired about Rowe’s positioning at the recent 9/11 tribute ceremony, presenting a photograph featuring President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and President-elect Donald Trump.
Fallon swiftly accused Rowe of having the Secret Service’s Special Agent in Charge (SAC) “out of position” regarding his line of sight and shot, violating protocol in favor of positioning himself closer to Trump for a photo opportunity.
As Fallon contended, it is crucial for the SAC to remain close to the president, which did not occur during that event.
“Who is typically closest to the President of the United States at an event like this?” Fallon questioned, referencing the 9/11 ceremony photograph. “Were you the special agent in charge of the detail that day?”
“Actually, congressman, what you’re missing is that the SAC of the detail is outside of the view in the image. That day marks a time to honor more than 3,000 lives lost on 9/11. I was there on the ground, sifting through the ashes of the World Trade Center,” Rowe replied.
Tempers flared as the debate escalated, leading both Fallon and Rowe to raise their voices while the chairman attempted to restore order.
“I’m not asking that! My question is whether you were the special agent in charge!?” Fallon yelled, interrupting Rowe.
“I was there to honor a Secret Service agent who lost their life on 9/11!” Rowe retorted passionately. “Do not use 9/11 for political gain!”
“You are out of line, congressman! Extremely out of line!” Rowe asserted emphatically.
“Don’t you dare try to intimidate me!” Fallon shot back, pointing a finger at Rowe. “I am a Congress member and I’m posing a serious question while you’re playing politics.”
Fallon subsequently accused Rowe of jeopardizing the safety of both Trump and President Biden to enhance his own public visibility, suggesting that Rowe was “auditioning” for a position as Secret Service director in Trump’s incoming administration.
“You know why you were there!? Because you wanted to be seen, trying to get a job that you won’t obtain on January 20th! You put President Biden’s and Vice President Harris’s lives at risk by rearranging those agents!” Fallon exclaimed.
As the confrontation was captured on video, it quickly went viral, eliciting a variety of reactions from social media users.
“That’s the most openly heated exchange I’ve seen in the hundreds of hours of hearings I’ve watched. The agent’s past actions are irrelevant; he lacks the proper temperament for duty in 2024,” one user commented.
“Who does this guy think he is yelling at a seated congressman? He’s a disgrace to public servants. He should be removed with no pension!” another user remarked.
Eventually, the meeting returned to a semblance of calm, allowing the discussion to continue about the overall failures of the Secret Service in protecting Trump during the Butler rally in July.
“This critical failure highlights significant weaknesses in Secret Service operations, and I acknowledge we did not meet our obligations to the American public, Congress, or those we protect,” Rowe stated.
“After my first visit as acting director, I was astonished by the lack of security at the site,” Rowe added, reflecting on his observations.
Rowe stepped into his role as acting director of the Secret Service following Kimberly Cheatle’s resignation due to the evident mismanagement exposed at Trump’s Butler rally, where gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks, aged 20, shot multiple rounds at Trump, nearly claiming his life.
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