During a heated House Oversight Committee hearing, lawmakers from both parties demanded the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) emphasized that this issue is not partisan, arguing that a resignation is necessary after such a significant security failure.
Khanna confronted Cheatle about historical precedents, referencing the resignation of former Secret Service Director Stuart Knight after a failed attempt on President Ronald Reagan. Cheatle initially claimed Knight stayed on, but Khanna corrected her, underscoring the need for accountability.
Cheatle faced bipartisan frustration as she repeatedly deflected questions about the security breaches that allowed Thomas Matthew Crooks to approach the rally venue. Her reliance on the ongoing FBI investigation as a reason for not providing details further aggravated lawmakers.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) joined the call for Cheatle’s resignation, suggesting Cheatle draft a resignation letter during her testimony, which Cheatle declined. The bipartisan nature of the criticism highlights a widespread lack of confidence in Cheatle’s leadership.
The committee’s dissatisfaction reflects broader concerns about the Secret Service’s effectiveness in protecting high-profile figures. Lawmakers believe that a change in leadership is necessary to restore public trust and ensure robust security measures are in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.
