Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle declared the agency’s efforts to protect former President Donald Trump as a “failure.”
The assassination attempt on Trump has thrust the Secret Service into intense scrutiny and prompted bipartisan calls for Cheatle’s resignation.
Cheatle, under fierce criticism, appeared before the committee amid an emotionally charged atmosphere, admitting that the assassination attempt on July 13 represented a critical lapse in the agency’s duty.
“The Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders. On July 13, we failed,” Cheatle said during the testimony, which spanned nearly five hours.
Cheatle took full responsibility for the security breach, stating her commitment to ensuring such a failure would not be repeated.
The gravity of the situation was underscored by the physical threat to Trump, who was struck in the ear by a bullet, alongside injuries sustained by two others and the tragic loss of a rally attendee.
Cheatle’s admission came not just in verbal testimony but also in response to the detailed questioning from lawmakers who expressed dissatisfaction with the oversight and preparedness of the Secret Service.
Highlighting the severity of the oversight, Republican and Democratic members alike, including Rep. John Comer (R-KY), chairman of the committee, and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), openly called for Cheatle’s resignation.
Rep. Ro Khanna (R-CA), echoed this sentiment during the hearing, pointing to the bipartisan disappointment with Cheatle’s leadership.
Despite the overwhelming pressure, Cheatle stated she would not step down, reinforcing her intent to rectify the agency’s protocols and oversight mechanisms.
The Secret Service director also faced questions regarding the specifics of the incident, including why no agents were positioned on a sloping roof from where the shooter allegedly acted.
Cheatle explained that while there was a plan for “overwatch,” the specifics of deployment and coordination remained under review.
One critical area of concern raised during the hearing was Cheatle’s perceived evasiveness in addressing specific operational questions, particularly regarding security deployments at the rally.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., expressed frustration over Cheatle’s unclear timeline of the incident.
Greene labeled the lack of specifics as “absolutely unacceptable,” accusing Cheatle of failing in her role.
Comer told Cheatle, “You answered more questions with an ABC reporter than you have with members of Congress.”
Moreover, the incident revealed gaps in intelligence sharing and operational readiness, with criticisms pointing to a potential underestimation of threats, including one from Iran against Trump, following the 2020 killing of Iranian military officer Qasem Soleimani.
This intelligence, according to Cheatle, was not adequately factored into the security planning for the event.
In her statement, Cheatle praised the bravery of the agents who responded to the immediate threat, noting that their actions in shielding Trump likely prevented a more tragic outcome. She reiterated her confidence in the capability and dedication of the Secret Service personnel, despite the operational failures.
The hearing also touched on broader issues of agency conduct and priorities, including past statements by Cheatle emphasizing the importance of diversity within the agency, a point of contention among some critics who questioned its relevance to the agency’s core mission.
As the House Oversight Committee continues to demand answers and accountability, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are conducting their own investigations into the lapses that allowed such a close call against a former president.
With multiple investigations underway, Cheatle affirmed her commitment to cooperating fully and upholding the integrity of the Secret Service’s mission.
As Cheatle concluded her fraught testimony, the response from Congress was clear: a swift and thorough review of Secret Service operations is imperative to restore trust and ensure the unwavering protection of national leaders, irrespective of political affiliation.