Secret Service Chief Admits Major Failure in Trump Shooting Incident, Faces Calls for Resignation

The Secret Service chief Kimberly Cheatle admitted that the agency’s handling of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump was its “most significant operational failure” in decades.

Cheatle said at the hearing she takes “full responsibility for any security lapse.” MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Despite this acknowledgement, Cheatle gave the agents involved an “A” grade for their performance, which led to criticism from lawmakers across the political spectrum.

Cheatle testified that she would give her agency an “A” grade.AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.

Cheatle’s testimony before the House Oversight Committee revealed her full responsibility for the security lapse that occurred on July 13, when Trump was targeted by gunfire at a rally. Her comments sparked demands for her resignation, with House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) leading the charge. Cheatle has refused to step down so far.

Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan questioned Cheatle about the Trump campaign’s requests for additional security.AP Photo/John McDonnell

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) compared the current situation with that of Stuart Knight, the head of the Secret Service, during President Ronald Reagan’s assassination attempt in 1981. Khanna criticized Cheatle, pointing out that Knight resigned in similar circumstances, and stated that Cheatle should follow suit if she is genuinely committed to accountability.

Rep. Jamie Raskin questioned how Crooks was able to get on the roof with a gun without the Secret Service or local police spotting him. Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

The Secret Service’s failings were further highlighted by whistleblower testimony revealing that the agency’s resources were significantly depleted following a NATO summit. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Tim Burke had acknowledged these shortages at a July 8 meeting, just five days before the shooting incident.

The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, managed to evade both Secret Service and local police, setting up a sniper’s perch on a roof and opening fire from a distance of 130 yards. Despite the presence of a local counter-sniper team, Crooks was only stopped after he fired several shots.

Cheatle defended the Secret Service’s response, asserting that the building from which Crooks fired was “outside the perimeter” of their protection. She explained that while there was a plan for “overwatch,” the agency prefers “sterile” roofs over those that are “sloped,” which may have contributed to the lapse.

Secret Service boss Kimberly Cheatle acknowledged that the near-assassination of former President Trump was the agency’s worst failure in “decades” at a Monday hearing before the House Oversight Committee. Reuters

Lawmakers also questioned Cheatle about contradictions in the Secret Service’s statements and the handling of requests for enhanced security from the Trump campaign.

House Oversight Chairman James Comer called on Cheatle to resign in his opening statement.AP Photo/John McDonnell

Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) scrutinized the agency’s actions. At the same time, Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) criticized Cheatle’s competency and suggested President Biden consider firing her.

Agency failures enabled Thomas Matthew Crooks to set up a sniper’s perch on a rooftop just 130 yards from the rally stage and come within centimetres of killing the former president. AP

The full extent of the agency’s failure is being dissected and analyzed in the days since the assassination attempt.NY Post

Cheatle expressed her condolences to the family of Corey Comperatore, the father and volunteer fire chief who was killed in the incident and wished for the recovery of the two other injured individuals.

She also pledged to fully cooperate with ongoing investigations by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General.

Cheatle remains firm in her position as the controversy continues, stating she believes she is the best person to lead the Secret Service during this challenging time.