Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) grilled Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle as she appeared before Congress to respond to the epic failures in protecting former President Donald Trump.
The embattled director testified under subpoena Monday before the House Oversight Committee, admitting the failures in the July 13 assassination attempt against Trump but offering little in the way of solid answers.
“So which is it? Were you guessing or lying when you said you didn’t turn down requests for President Trump’s detail? Jordan asked Cheatle, referring to conflicting reports about Trump’s team asking for increased security before the Pennsylvania rally but being denied.
“For the event in Butler there were no requests that were denied,” Cheatle replied.
“They asked for additional help in some form or another. You told them no. How many times did you tell them no? And what’d you tell them no to?” Jordan asked, citing remarks by Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi.
(Video Credit: Forbes Breaking News)
“What I can tell you is that in generic terms, when people when details make a request, there are times that there are alternate ways to cover off on that threat or that report,” Cheatle replied, evading a direct answer.
“It looks like you won’t answer some pretty basic questions, it looks like you got a 9% raise and it looks like you cut corners when it comes to protecting one of the most well-known individuals on the planet. Is that right?” Jordan demanded.
“I am here today because I want to answer questions,” Cheatle replied.
Rep. James Comer opened Monday’s hearing by saying that the assassination attempt was “one of the darkest days in American political history,” and that it t was his “firm belief” that Cheatle should resign.
“Today’s witness, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, is here under subpoena to answer questions about how the agency failed President Trump and the victims who attended the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the chairman of the House Oversight Committee said in his opening statement.
“It is my firm belief, Director Cheatle, that you should resign. However, in complete defiance, Director Cheatle has maintained she will not tender her resignation,” Comer continued. “Therefore, she will answer questions today from members of this committee seeking to provide clarity to the American people about how these events were allowed to transpire.”
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle isn’t answering any of Rep. Comer’s questions about the assassination attempt against President Trump:
“I’m not going to get into specifics of that day in itself.” pic.twitter.com/FANvBLJMLv
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) July 22, 2024
Cheatle would not give Comer a definitive answer about whether the Secret Service had an agent on the roof where the shooter eventually fired at Trump and rallygoers.
Cheatle not knowing the answer to the question of whether or not the Secret Service had an agent on the roof nine days after the event is reason enough to demand her resignation.
— Craig Chamberlin (@CraigChamberlin) July 22, 2024
“Can you answer why the Secret Service didn’t place a single agent on the roof?” Comer asked.
“We are still looking into the advance process and the decisions that were made,” she replied, prompting Comer to ask if the building was “within the perimeter that should be secured? Do we agree with that?”
“The building was outside of the perimeter on the day of the visit, but again that is one of the things that during the investigation we want to take a look at,” Cheatle answered.
Good lord. US Secret Service Director Cheatle just testified that the building the shooter tried to assassinate Trump from was not in their security perimeter that day.
The building 150 yards from a former president & current candidate for president w/ a direct line of sight?!— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) July 22, 2024
During her testimony, Cheatle declared, “I think I am the best person to lead the Secret Service at this time.”
Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna (CA) ripped into Cheatle as well, reminding her of the Secret Service chief during the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan.
(Video Credit: PBS News)
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
- Fox News decision desk director: Blue tsunami predictions for November election might not make landfall - March 23, 2026
- Ruth’s Chris gets razzed by Chili’s in viral dress code feud - March 23, 2026
- Chicago residents unionize to fight possible displacement, rent hikes over Obama Presidential Center - March 23, 2026
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.