The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability held a hearing on the U.S. Secret Service’s failures during an attempted assassination of President Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Both Republicans and Democrats demanded answers from Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who failed to address basic questions about the security lapses. This led to bipartisan calls for her resignation.
Chairman James Comer criticized the Secret Service’s competence and transparency, highlighting that new information is coming from whistleblowers rather than official sources. During the hearing, Cheatle avoided providing specific details about the number of agents assigned to Trump and whether temporary agents were used. She also could not confirm if additional resources were requested by Trump’s detail before the rally.
Representative Jim Jordan expressed frustration over Cheatle’s inability to answer straightforward questions, suggesting that the Secret Service cut corners on protection. The Committee, alongside Speaker Mike Johnson’s Task Force, plans to investigate the security failures to prevent future incidents. Chairman Comer and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin announced a joint letter calling for Cheatle’s resignation, emphasizing the need for accountability and answers.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle faced intense criticism from the House Oversight Committee over security failures during an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Despite acknowledging the incident as a significant operational failure, Cheatle evaded specific questions, citing an ongoing investigation. Lawmakers from both parties demanded her resignation, criticizing her responses as “incompetent” and “lame excuses.”
Rep. Nancy Mace announced plans to file impeachment articles, while Rep. Greg Steube and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna expressed similar intentions, including holding Cheatle in inherent contempt. During the hearing, Cheatle admittedmir not securing the building the gunman fired from and stated that the shooter was identified as suspicious but not as a threat until moments before the attack.
Cheatle emphasized her commitment to providing answers once the investigation concludes, targeting a complete report within 60 days, a timeline lawmakers deemed too long. Despite the backlash, Cheatle defended her nearly three-decade career and integrity, remaining firm in her decision to stay on as director.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle faced bipartisan criticism from the House Oversight Committee over security failures at a July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where former President Trump was shot. Despite acknowledging the event as the “most significant operational failure” in decades, Cheatle repeatedly cited the ongoing FBI investigation to avoid answering specific questions.
Lawmakers, frustrated by her evasiveness, demanded her resignation, referencing past directors who resigned after significant failures. Cheatle remained defiant, asserting her nearly 30-year career qualified her to lead the agency through this crisis. She admitted to being informed “between two and five times” about a suspicious person before the attack but insisted the assets requested for the event were provided.
Republicans, particularly Rep. Nancy Mace and Rep. Jim Jordan, harshly criticized her, with Mace accusing her of being uncooperative. Cheatle maintained that no security requests were denied for the event and promised a full report within 60 days, which lawmakers deemed too long. Her testimony left key questions unresolved, including the presence of Secret Service agents on the roof and the handling of the gunman.
Following the assassination attempt on former President Trump, I immediately activated our Crisis Center and assembled my executive team. We surged protective resources to the former President, ensured the wellness of our people, and secured the crime scene. I ordered a re-evaluation of the Republican National Convention security plan and increased security in the National Capital Region for all protectees and sites. Concurrently, I initiated a mission assurance investigation within the agency.
I have directed that all necessary resources be dedicated to these investigations, and we will leave no stone unturned. Changes are being made now, without waiting for the investigations to conclude.
The job of a special agent is highly competitive, with only 2 percent of applicants making it through the hiring process. Since becoming Director, my focus has been on resourcing our personnel, obtaining new technology, increasing staffing levels, and evaluating our hiring processes and training facilities. I am proud to report a net gain of over 200 special agents this year. We are working collaboratively with intelligence teams to ensure cohesion across all entities. Our commitment to thorough investigation and immediate action remains unwavering.
Today, Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced he will introduce a Senate resolution calling for the resignation of U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. Hawley claims Cheatle’s agency failed to protect former President Donald Trump during a preventable assassination attempt.
Last week, Hawley visited Butler, PA, where the attack occurred. He noted that Cheatle has not visited the site. Hawley has also sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, demanding an explanation for the Secret Service’s failure to secure Trump’s July 13 rally. The letter includes new testimony from whistleblowers about the security lapse.
Secret Service Director Apologizes for Major Security Failure
On Monday, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle admitted her agency failed to protect former President Donald Trump during a shooting attempt at a rally on July 13. The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was able to get on the roof and open fire, resulting in one death and injuries to others.
During a heated congressional hearing, Cheatle faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats for the security lapses. Lawmakers, including House Oversight Committee members, called for Cheatle’s resignation. Cheatle acknowledged the failure and promised to investigate the incident thoroughly. She said the agency had been warned about a suspicious person and the roof vulnerability before the shooting but failed to act.
Cheatle maintained that she was the right person to lead the Secret Service and declined to resign, despite pressure from lawmakers. She also apologized to Trump personally and revealed that local law enforcement had flagged Crooks as suspicious but did not consider him a threat until the shooting occurred.
The Secret Service is conducting an internal investigation, and a bipartisan panel has been appointed to review the case. The attack is being described as the most serious attempt to harm a presidential candidate since the 1981 Reagan assassination attempt.