The 13 members of the bipartisan panel investigating the assassination attempt on President-elect Trump gathered Thursday. They huddled around a microphone in the Rayburn House Office Building after their latest hearing. The focus: what went wrong and how to fix the Secret Service.
“We tried to set the tone that this was going to be a serious and bipartisan effort,” said Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., the top Democrat on the task force. “And that’s exactly what you see here. And that’s exactly how it played out.”
“We never identified as Republicans or Democrats. We have identified as task force members,” added Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Penn., the Republican chair.
The committee agreed the Secret Service failed in Butler, Penn., where gunman Thomas Crooks almost killed Trump. They praised reforms, like using drones and robot “dogs” at Trump’s Florida golf club. Enhanced local law enforcement communication was another win.
But frustrations lingered. Lawmakers never examined Crooks’ body. His motive remains a mystery. They couldn’t confirm if he acted alone.
“The Department of Justice to this point has not provided this task force with information about the digital devices,” said Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Fla.
“And that’s still a black hole to this day?” came the question.
“Correct,” replied Lee.
Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe was the lone witness. He promised accountability but gave no details.
“It is essential that we recognize the gravity of our failure. I personally carry the weight of knowing that we almost lost a protectee,” Rowe admitted. He reflected on the agency’s poor performance at the Butler rally.
Yet, none of this is what people will remember. The real headline? A fiery clash between Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Tex., and Rowe.
Decades of covering Congress prepared me for chaos. I’ve seen gavels break, near fistfights, and wild challenges. But nothing compared to this verbal brawl.
Fallon and Rowe exploded, shouting and pointing fingers.
“You are out of line!” Rowe roared.
“Don’t try to bully me!” Fallon shot back.
“Do not invoke 9/11 for political purposes!” Rowe yelled. “I was there out of respect!”
“Oh, that’s a bunch of horse hockey!” Fallon retorted. “You endangered President Biden’s life! Vice President Harris’s life!”
The reforms and findings were overshadowed. The fight became the story. And no one will recall much else.