Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle faced intense scrutiny from both parties during her testimony before the House Oversight Committee regarding the failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Lawmakers from both sides criticized Cheatle’s inability to prevent the incident, with some calling for her resignation.
Chairman James Comer (R-KY) criticized Cheatle’s leadership, citing the “catastrophic” security lapse, while Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) used the hearing to advocate for stricter gun control laws, though he did not specify how these would have prevented the attack.
Cheatle admitted that the July 13 attempt on Trump’s life was the “most significant operational failure of the Secret Service in decades” and took “full responsibility” for the lapse. Despite this admission, she refused to step down, citing the need to continue her role during the ongoing investigation.
Throughout the hearing, Cheatle repeatedly failed to provide specific answers about the security measures in place during the rally and the details of Trump’s protection team, frustrating committee members. Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) remarked that Cheatle’s performance made her appear “incompetent” and suggested that she would have been held “culpable” if Trump had been killed.
