The embattled Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle faces bipartisan outrage in a heated House hearing today over the agency’s failure to protect former President Donald Trump during his Pennsylvania rally. Cheatle described the assassination attempt on Trump as “the most significant operational failure” the Secret Service has experienced in decades. Lawmakers are demanding answers on how the gunman managed to position himself on a rooftop, 157 yards from the stage, with a clear line of sight to Trump.
During her testimony, Cheatle revealed that the shooter had been identified as “suspicious” before Trump took the stage. However, the Secret Service did not perceive him as an immediate threat, which would have otherwise prevented Trump from appearing on stage. Cheatle’s lack of new details about the event, citing the ongoing investigation, has further angered lawmakers.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer criticized the agency, stating that the Secret Service has “become the face of incompetence.” Comer and other lawmakers, including Maryland Democrat Jamie Raskin, called for Cheatle’s resignation. Raskin pointed out the “stunning security failures” that allowed a 20-year-old gunman to get within shooting distance of the former president and advocated for tighter control laws.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) fiercely criticized Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle for her handling of former President Trump’s security during the recent assassination attempt. Jordan expressed outrage over what he deemed significant failures in protocol and demanded accountability for the lapses that allowed a gunman to come dangerously close to Trump. Cheatle acknowledged the incident as a major operational failure, but her responses did little to satisfy Jordan and other lawmakers’ demands for immediate action and answers.
Ohio Republican Mike Turner, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, pressed Cheatle on why recent threats against Trump from Iran were not adequately considered in the rally’s security preparations. Turner argued that Cheatle would have been “culpable” if Trump had been killed, highlighting the critical security lapses.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) confronted Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle regarding the leaked opening statement on the Trump rally shooting. Mace accused Cheatle of dishonesty when she claimed ignorance about how the statement was leaked, calling her response “bulls—.” Mace highlighted that news articles containing the statement were published hours before the committee received it. Cheatle admitted the shooting was a “colossal failure” and could have been prevented. However, she did not confirm whether all requested recordings were provided to the committee.
U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized Cheatle’s handling of the situation, stating that “things are not going well” for the director and suggesting that she step down. Cheatle acknowledged the attempt on Trump’s life as the Secret Service’s “most significant operational failure” in decades.
Amid the criticism, Cheatle is resisting calls to step down. She acknowledged the severity of the incident and vowed to “move heaven and earth” to prevent such a failure from happening again. Despite her assurances, Texas Congressman Chip Roy has gone so far as to propose defunding the entire Secret Service, arguing for accountability within the agency.
The incident has also sparked a bipartisan push for Cheatle’s resignation. California Democrat Ro Khanna joined the chorus of lawmakers demanding that Cheatle step down, comparing the situation to the aftermath of the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan, which led to the resignation of the then-Secret Service head. Khanna emphasized that the nation has lost confidence in Cheatle’s ability to lead the agency.
As the investigation continues, the political fallout from the security breach at Trump’s rally remains intense, with significant implications for the Secret Service’s future operations and leadership.
