Kimberly Cheatle, Director of the US Secret Service, faced intense grilling from lawmakers during a contentious House hearing on Monday, with many demanding her resignation after an assassination attempt on Donald Trump earlier this month.
On 13th July, a 20-year-old gunman managed to injure Trump and kill former fire chief Corey Comperatore at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, while injuring two others.
Progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was at the forefront of the criticism, condemning the delay in the Secret Service's report.
Why was the Secret Service’s protective perimeter in Butler shorter than the range of an AR-15?
— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) July 23, 2024
It does not take 60 days to answer that question.
The agency’s failure to publicly account for these questions and others from Congress is unacceptable.
Dir. Cheatle should resign. pic.twitter.com/5C50Qi5EJS
In her opening statement, Cheatle admitted the Secret Service had “failed” in its duty. She disclosed that agents had received multiple warnings about a suspicious individual at the rally before the shooting but failed to act. Adding to the controversy, she confirmed the absence of radio communications recordings from that day.
Criminal.
— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) July 22, 2024
Cheatle admits USSS does not have radio comms recordings from July 13.
Unbelievable pic.twitter.com/ps7fpzMFzD
Republican Representative Nancy Mace was particularly blunt, telling Cheatle, “You’re full of sh*t today.” Texas Representative Pat Fallon also condemned her leadership, stating, "I believe your horrifying ineptitude and lack of skilled leadership is a disgrace. Your obfuscating today is shameful and you should be fired immediately."
This is hands-down the most powerful and relevant exchange of the entire hearing from @RepPatFallon
— Viva Frei (@thevivafrei) July 22, 2024
This alone is enough to warrant firing Kim Cheatle, charging Kim Cheatle, and jailing Kim Cheatle.
The first of many who need to be held to account for the attempted… pic.twitter.com/sxmKfZIyzZ
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