Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle was heavily criticized by lawmakers from both parties during her testimony before the House Oversight Committee about the failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The committee’s bipartisan criticism focused on the agency’s inability to prevent the attack and Cheatle’s leadership.
Chairman James Comer (R-KY) called for Cheatle’s resignation, describing the security breach as “catastrophic.” Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) joined in the criticism, advocating for stricter gun control measures, though he did not clarify which laws would have prevented the attack.
In her statement, Cheatle admitted that the July 13 attempt on Trump’s life represented the “most significant operational failure of the Secret Service in decades” and took “full responsibility” for the lapse. Despite this, she refused to resign, insisting on her need to remain in position to oversee the ongoing investigation.
Cheatle’s testimony was marked by her inability to provide clear answers to questions about the security measures in place during Trump’s rally and the specifics of his protection detail. She frequently cited the ongoing investigation and the recentness of the event as reasons for her lack of detailed responses, leading to further frustration among the committee members.
Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) remarked that Cheatle’s testimony made her appear “incompetent” and suggested that her leadership would have been seen as directly responsible had the assassination attempt succeeded. The hearing left Cheatle under significant scrutiny, raising doubts about the Secret Service’s capability to protect prominent figures.
