Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle found herself in the hot seat during a contentious House Oversight Committee hearing on Monday. The focus was the security failures that led to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
Cheatle acknowledged responsibility for the security breach but consistently dodged specific questions, citing an ongoing investigation. This evasiveness sparked outrage among committee members from both parties.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) didn’t mince words, telling Cheatle, “You’re full of s— today!” She accused the director of being “completely dishonest” about fully cooperating during the hearing.
The frustration was palpable as Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) pressed Cheatle on a seemingly simple question about whether guns make her job easier or harder. When Cheatle hesitated, Connolly snapped,
“Please answer the question. You’re the head of the Secret Service. And now I think you’re evading the answer, which is not a hard one.”
Kimberly Cheatle revealed that the gunman had been identified as “suspicious” before Trump took the stage but wasn’t considered a “threat” until seconds before the shooting. This admission raised eyebrows about the agency’s threat assessment procedures.
When asked about specifics, such as the number of agents assigned to protect Trump or how many times the Secret Service had denied Trump’s requests for additional security, Cheatle remained vague. She stated, “I’m not going to get into specifics of the day,” frustrating committee members seeking clear answers.
Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating,
“The Secret Service has thousands of employees and a significant budget, but it has now become the face of incompetence.”
He urged Cheatle to resign.
The aftermath of the hearing saw several representatives calling for Cheatle’s resignation. Rep. Mace announced plans to file articles of impeachment, while Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) also planned actions against the director.
Kimberly Cheatle’s promise of a complete report within 60 days did little to appease the committee. “It’s been nine days,” Comer pointed out. “Every American wants these questions answered.”
