Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle was confronted at the Republican convention
As an experienced news blogger with a keen eye on political events, I bring you an in-depth analysis of the latest developments surrounding Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.
On Monday, she will face the House Oversight Committee to testify about the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, amid a storm of criticism and calls for her resignation.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle reacts to independent review of Trump assassination plot
Last week, the House Oversight Committee issued a subpoena compelling Cheatle to testify as part of an ongoing investigation into the shooting incident in Butler, Pennsylvania. The attack, which left Trump with a gunshot wound to the ear, also resulted in one fatality and injuries to two other attendees.
This tragic event has triggered a cascade of inquiries and intense scrutiny of the Secret Service’s performance under Cheatle’s leadership.
Anthony Guglielmi, the Secret Service’s chief of communications, confirmed on Friday that Cheatle will attend the hearing. ABC News has since obtained excerpts of her anticipated testimony, which promise a frank acknowledgment of the agency’s shortcomings.
Cheatle is expected to admit, “The Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders. On July 13th, we failed.” She will take full responsibility for the security lapses, stating, “As the Director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse.”
Cheatle will outline the agency’s commitment to cooperating fully with the FBI’s investigation, the oversight initiated by the committee, and an internal mission assurance review she has directed. Additionally, the agency will engage with an external review and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General.
In the aftermath of the shooting, both Republicans and Democrats have questioned how the assailant managed to get so close to Trump and fire multiple shots. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has accused the Secret Service of lacking transparency, a sentiment reflected in his letter accompanying the subpoena.
Comer is expected to demand Cheatle’s resignation during the hearing. He stated, “Americans demand answers from Director Kimberly Cheatle about the Secret Service’s historic security failures that led to the attempted assassination of President Trump, murder of an innocent victim, and harm to others in the crowd.
We look forward to Director Cheatle’s testimony on Monday, July 22 to deliver the transparency and accountability that Americans deserve.”
The scrutiny doesn’t end with the Oversight Committee. The House Homeland Security Committee has also called for a hearing and requested documents from DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Meanwhile, in the Senate, both Homeland Security Committee Chairman Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and ranking member Rand Paul (R-Ky.) have launched their investigation. The DHS Office of Inspector General is similarly reviewing the Secret Service’s actions during the rally.
Cheatle has already faced pointed questions from Republican senators at the Republican National Convention, where Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) emphasized, “This was an assassination attempt, you owe the people answers, you owe President Trump answers.”
Despite the mounting pressure, Cheatle remains resolute in her position, describing the shooting as “unacceptable” and vowing to prevent a recurrence. She is set to assure the committee, “Our mission is not political. It is a matter of life and death, as the tragic events on July 13th remind us. I have full confidence in the men and women of the Secret Service.”
In response to the calls for her resignation, the Secret Service has made it clear that Cheatle intends to remain in her role. Guglielmi stated, “Continuity of operations is paramount during a critical incident and U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has no intentions to step down.
She deeply respects members of Congress and is fiercely committed to transparency in leading the Secret Service through the internal investigation and strengthening the agency through lessons learned in these important internal and external reviews.”
Stay tuned as we continue to cover this high-stakes testimony and its implications for the future of the Secret Service and national security.