WASHINGTON: US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle admitted to Congress on Monday that her agency failed when a would-be assassin wounded former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 13.
“We failed,” Cheatle admitted during her testimony before the House Oversight Committee. “The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on July 13th is the most significant operational failure at the Secret Service in decades.”
Facing calls from Republicans for her removal, Cheatle defended the Secret Service’s actions, stating that security measures for Trump had been heightened well before the rally and were in line with the campaign’s requests.
“The level of security provided for the former president increased well before the campaign and has been steadily increasing as threats evolve,” Cheatle explained. She confirmed that the Secret Service had deployed the requested resources for the event on July 13.
Cheatle declined to provide specific details about the security plan that day, citing an ongoing internal investigation.
Monday’s hearing marked the beginning of congressional oversight into the assassination attempt. FBI Director Christopher Wray is scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, and House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to establish a bipartisan task force for further investigations.
Despite calls for her resignation from Republican leaders like House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, Cheatle has remained steadfast in her position. Democratic Representative Gerry Connolly expressed concern over the incident, noting its reflection of heightened political tensions in the country.
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The shooting at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, injured Trump and resulted in one fatality and another injury. The alleged shooter, Thomas Crooks, was killed by law enforcement, with no clear motive yet established.
In previous statements, the House Judiciary Committee indicated concerns over Secret Service staffing shortages due to concurrent events involving Jill Biden and a NATO summit. Cheatle also highlighted the agency’s daily responsibilities in protecting 36 individuals and visiting world leaders.
President Joe Biden, meanwhile, announced the end of his reelection campaign, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor and committing to serve until the end of his term in January 2025.
