The ranking member of the House Oversight Committee has echoed the chairman’s call for Director Cheatle to step down.
In an unusual bipartisan move, both the chairman and the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee have jointly urged Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign. This decision comes after a lengthy session of questioning directed at the agency director.
After six hours of testimony focused on the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, committee chairman Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) and ranking member Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) released a statement expressing their belief that it is time for Director Cheatle to step down.
The committee leaders criticized Cheatle for failing to provide satisfactory answers regarding the operational failure that led to the shooting incident on July 13. They emphasized the need for transparency and accountability within the agency, calling for new leadership to address the crisis and restore trust.
Despite bipartisan pressure during the hearing, Cheatle remained defiant and refused to resign, asserting that she is the most suitable person to lead the Secret Service at this critical time.
The hearing marked the first congressional oversight of the assassination attempt, raising concerns about the agency’s ability to safeguard current and former presidents. The fatal shooting by suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks during a campaign rally prompted questions about the Secret Service’s security protocols.
Lawmakers from both parties grilled Cheatle on various aspects of the incident, including the lack of an agent on the building where the shooter was positioned. The director cited ongoing investigations for not providing direct answers to these queries.
In her defense, Cheatle highlighted the increased security measures for former President Trump leading up to the rally and reiterated the agency’s commitment to fulfilling the security requirements outlined by the Trump campaign.
Despite facing criticism for evasiveness, Cheatle emphasized the complexities of the agency’s responsibilities and the diverse gun laws across states. She acknowledged the need for thorough investigations and emphasized the challenges posed by differing gun regulations.
The upcoming appearance of FBI Director Christopher Wray before the House Judiciary Committee signals further scrutiny into the matter, with House Speaker Mike Johnson announcing plans for a bipartisan task force to oversee multiple House investigations.
Reuters contributed to this report. Please provide an alternative version of the text.
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