US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has acknowledged a significant security failure that led to an attempt on President Donald Trump’s life earlier this month. During a Congressional hearing, Cheatle admitted that the agency, responsible for protecting presidents and former presidents, failed in its duty. The incident occurred at a rally in Pennsylvania, where a gunman identified as 20-year-old Thomas Mathew Crooks fired at Trump, grazing his ear with a bullet. The shooter was promptly neutralized by a Secret Service counter-sniper.
Prior to the shooting, witnesses reported alerting authorities about an armed individual on a building rooftop, but their warnings were reportedly ignored. Following the incident, Cheatle assumed full responsibility for the security lapse, stating, “The Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders. On July 13, we failed. As Director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse.” Despite calls for her resignation, Cheatle maintained that the attack was a “the most significant operational failure of the Secret Service in decades” and vowed to prevent such events from happening again.
Lawmakers from both the Democrat and Republican parties expressed their frustration and disappointment, urging Cheatle to resign. Rep. James R. Comer, the Republican chair of the committee, and Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat, both called for her departure. Rep. Mike Turner, a Republican, went further, suggesting that Cheatle would have faced criminal charges if Trump had been killed. He also urged President Joe Biden to dismiss Cheatle if she refused to step down.
The members of the committee were further frustrated by Cheatle’s refusal to answer several questions, citing an ongoing investigation as the reason for her silence. This incident has sparked serious concerns about the Secret Service’s competence and ability to protect the nation’s leaders.
