Hearing Summary: Following historic security lapses at President Trump's rally, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle is forced to resign after failing to respond to basic inquiries.
 |
| Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the US Secret Service, provides testimony before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee. |
Republican and Democratic legislators called on US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to go down after security breaches that resulted in Republican
A would-be assassin injured Donald Trump, the presidential contender. Congressmen also took issue with Cheatle's lack of disclosure over the incident.
James Comer, the Republican chair of the US House of Representatives Oversight Committee, and Jamie Raskin, the leading Democrat on the committee, both called for Cheatle's resignation.
A would-be assassin injured Donald Trump, the presidential contender. Congressmen also took issue with Cheatle's lack of disclosure over the incident.
James Comer, the Republican chair of the US House of Representatives Oversight Committee, and Jamie Raskin, the leading Democrat on the committee, both called for Cheatle's resignation.
Though Comer and Raskin rarely agreed on anything, they both expressed dissatisfaction with Cheatle's leadership.
"This committee is not known for its model of bipartisanship, and I think today we came together unanimously in our disappointment," Comer said. "We don't have that confidence that you can lead."
Raskin said that "Cheatle had lost the confidence of Congress at a very urgent and tender moment in the history of the country, and we very quickly need to move beyond this."
More than four and a half hours of testimony later, Cheatle referred to the July 13 shooting at an outdoor campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, as "the
worst operational misstep the secret agency has had in decades. She likened the event to the failed attempt on the life of former President Ronald Reagan in 1981.
worst operational misstep the secret agency has had in decades. She likened the event to the failed attempt on the life of former President Ronald Reagan in 1981.
Even after being acknowledged, Cheatle refused to accept resignation pressure. "I think that I am the best person to lead the secret service at this time," she maintained.
This meeting was the initial congressional oversight into the failed assassination attempt in which Trump sustained an ear injury. One person who attended the event died, while another was hurt. Thomas Crooks, a 20-year-old nursing care worker, was shot and killed by police officials. Crooks was the suspected gunman. It's still unclear why he did this.
On Wednesday, FBI Director Christopher Wray is scheduled to give a testimony before the House Judiciary Committee. A bipartisan task committee will be announced by House Speaker Mike Johnson to
synchronize House inquiries.
Republican allegations that the secret service withheld resources to safeguard Trump were disputed by Cheatle in his defense of the organization. She said that before to the attack, Trump's security had already been increased. "The level of security provided for the former president increased well before the campaign and has been steadily increasing as threats evolve," she said.
synchronize House inquiries.
Republican allegations that the secret service withheld resources to safeguard Trump were disputed by Cheatle in his defense of the organization. She said that before to the attack, Trump's security had already been increased. "The level of security provided for the former president increased well before the campaign and has been steadily increasing as threats evolve," she said.
Tell us what went wrong, Representative Pete Sessions, a Republican, begged. "Tell us, and don't try andplay a shell game with us."
In response, Cheatle stated that she intended to give correct information but that she was suppressing data due to ongoing investigations, including one that was internal and was scheduled to end in 60 days.
In response, Cheatle stated that she intended to give correct information but that she was suppressing data due to ongoing investigations, including one that was internal and was scheduled to end in 60 days.
However, when Republican congressman Jim Jordan asked Cheatle about whether the secret service had previously turned down requests for greater protection at Trump campaign events, Cheatle grew more evasive. Jordan said, "It appears that you won't respond to some fairly basic questions.""And you took short cuts when it came to safeguarding one of the planet's most prominent and significant individuals."
As they questioned Cheatle, a few Republican lawmakers were overtly aggressive. Nancy Mace even told the director, "You're full of shit today."
Both party lawmakers rejected the notion of holding off on releasing a report for sixty days, charging Cheatle of undermining Congress. "The notion of a report coming out in 60 days when the threat environment is so high in the United States, irrespective of party," Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said.
There has been a rare moment of bipartisan cooperation in Congress as they demand accountability and prompt action in response to the event, which has raised serious concerns about the capabilities and transparency of the Secret Service.
Comments
Post a Comment