Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle
The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability grilled U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle over the Attempted Assassination of President Donald J. Trump.”
Both Republican and Democrat members questioned the Secret Service chief over significant security lapses that led to the attempted assassination of President Trump, the murder of an innocent bystander, and injuries to several others during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The Secret Service Director faced intense scrutiny as she repeatedly failed to provide clear answers to basic questions from Committee members.
The security failures in question revolved around several key points:
Denial of Additional Security:
Members pressed Cheatle on whether the Secret Service had denied additional security requests from Trump’s campaign.
Despite multiple inquiries, the Secret Service director did not offer a definitive answer.
Rooftop Security:
Questions were raised about why a rooftop with a clear view of President Trump’s podium was left unsecured.
Cheatle was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation.
Agent Assignments:
The Committee sought clarity on whether the agents at the rally were from the Secret Service or another department, but the director’s responses remained vague.
Intelligence on the Gunman:
There was a pressing need for information on any intelligence gathered about the gunman.
Cheatle’s lack of concrete answers only heightened concerns.
Resource Deployment:
Members demanded details on how Secret Service resources were deployed at the rally, a topic the Secret Service director skirted around.
Advanced Planning:
The extent of the Secret Service’s planning ahead of the rally was questioned, but Cheatle provided no substantial details.
In their closing remarks, Chairman James Comer and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin jointly called for Cheatle’s immediate resignation, reflecting a rare moment of bipartisan agreement on the issue.
They emphasized the need for accountability and a thorough investigation into the security failures.
Chairman James Comer:
Comer highlighted the Secret Service’s “zero-fail mission,” criticizing the agency for its failures on July 13.
He stressed the need for accountability and called for the director to step down, citing ongoing revelations from whistleblowers and leaks that paint a grim picture of the Secret Service’s competence.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan:
Jordan challenged Cheatle on reports that the Secret Service denied multiple security requests from Trump’s campaign.
He expressed frustration over her inability to answer basic questions, which he said is “pretty darn frustrating for the country.”
Rep. Virginia Foxx:
Foxx criticized the Secret Service’s leadership under Cheatle, pointing to high employee turnover and declining performance.
She questioned Cheatle’s explanation for these issues, suggesting that they stem from poor leadership rather than financial constraints.
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi:
Krishnamoorthi lambasted the Secret Service chief for failing to answer questions about video footage showing the gunman.
He highlighted the clear threat and the lack of immediate action, further questioning the agency’s decision-making process during the crisis.
Rep. Pete Sessions:
Sessions accused Cheatle of lacking transparency and failing to hold any individuals accountable for the security lapses.
He demanded specific answers about disciplinary actions taken against employees involved in the incident.
Rep. Jake LaTurner:
LaTurner pointed out that Cheatle’s inconsistent information has fueled conspiracy theories and misinformation.
He criticized Cheatle’s unwillingness to provide clear details about the incident, calling her responses “unacceptable.”
Rep. Pat Fallon:
Fallon highlighted the inconsistency in Cheatle’s explanation regarding rooftop security.
He questioned why a roof with a steeper slope than the shooter’s position was considered secure while the shooter’s location was not.
Rep. Lisa McClain:
McClain criticized Cheatle for her lack of preparedness and failure to provide concrete answers, questioning her competence in handling such a significant hearing.
Rep. Mike Waltz:
Waltz condemned Cheatle for not holding any press conferences to inform the public and address misinformation.
He emphasized that her lack of communication has worsened the situation, suggesting that her handling of the incident warrants termination.
The Oversight Committee, in collaboration with Speaker Mike Johnson’s Task Force, will continue to investigate the Secret Service’s failures and work towards ensuring that such egregious security lapses never occur again.
The call for Director Cheatle’s resignation marks a critical juncture in this ongoing oversight process, reflecting the urgent need for accountability and improved security protocols.
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