US Secret Service chief says she won’t resign after acknowledging failure in the Trump shooting

Although she rejected calls from both parties to step down, U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle acknowledged before Congress on Monday that she and her organization failed when a would-be assassin injured Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

In his statement before the House of Representatives Oversight Committee, Cheatle stated, “We failed.” “The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on July 13th is the most significant operational failure at the Secret Service in decades.”

She rejected requests for her resignation from Republican and Democratic politicians, stating at one point that “I think that I am the best person to lead the Secret Service at this time.”

Cheatle asserted that protection for the former president had increased ahead of the shooting, despite Republican allegations that the Secret Service had withheld resources to shield Trump.

“The level of security provided for the former president increased well before the campaign and has been steadily increasing as threats evolve,” Cheatle stated.

She continued by saying that the security requested by the Trump campaign for the rally was supplied by the Secret Service.

Republicans and Democrats expressed open frustration with the security strategy for the day, but she declined to address specific queries, stating that the issue was being looked upon internally.

The first round of congressional monitoring of the attempted assassination was marked by the hearing on Monday. Christopher Wray, the director of the FBI, will testify before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Additionally, House Speaker Mike Johnson is scheduled to announce the creation of a bipartisan task committee that will act as the hub for House investigations.

Republican James Comer of the House Oversight Committee demanded that Cheatle resign.

The Kentucky Republican informed her, “Director Cheatle, I firmly believe that you ought to step down.” “The Secret Service has a substantial budget and thousands of employees. However, it now serves as a symbol of incapacity.”

Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat, also demanded her resignation.

The Democratic senator from California declared, “You need to resign if you have an attempt on the life of a president, former president, or candidate.” “You cannot go leading the Secret Service agency, when there is an assassination attempt on a presidential candidate.”

Representative Gerry Connolly, a fellow Democrat, stated that the shooting brought to light the nation’s growing political tensions and polarization. However, he became irate when Cheatle refused to acknowledge that the ease of access to firearms, particularly assault weapons like the one used in the Trump shooting, made her work more difficult.

“And you wonder why we might have a lack of confidence in your continued ability to direct this agency,” Connolly concluded.

Trump was shot in the ear, one rallygoer was murdered, and another was injured in the shooting at an outdoor campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Thomas Crooks, a 20-year-old nursing care worker, was shot and killed by police. Crooks was the suspected shooter. What motivated him to carry out the shooting is unclear.

The House Judiciary Committee said last week that it had proof the Secret Service was understaffed for Trump’s rally due to staffing shortages brought on by a NATO conference conducted in Washington a few days prior and a competing campaign event in Pittsburgh starring Jill Biden.

Cheatle said Congress that the organization guards 36 people every day in addition to foreign dignitaries that come to the US.

On Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris emerged victorious in Joe Biden’s reelection campaign, ending Biden’s own. He promised to stay in office until January 20, 2025, the conclusion of his term.