(AFP) – During a congressional hearing on Monday, the director of the Secret Service admitted that her agency had “failed” in its duty to protect Donald Trump, who was the target of an assassination attempt on July 13 in Pennsylvania. She dismissed calls for her resignation.
“The solemn mission of the Secret Service is to protect our nation’s leaders… On July 13, we failed,” Kimberly Cheatle stated before the House Oversight Committee.
“As the director, I accept full responsibility for any security failures,” she continued, referring to the incident involving the former US president and current Republican presidential candidate as “the most significant operational failure of the Secret Service in decades.”
Since the incident on July 13, her agency has faced criticism regarding potential shortcomings and lapses in judgment. Calls for Cheatle’s resignation have emerged from both political parties.
However, she rejected this suggestion, asserting, “I believe I am the best person to lead the Secret Service at this time.”
She also opted not to respond to many specific inquiries from lawmakers about the attack, citing ongoing investigations.
“I can only discuss generalities,” she noted, which frustrated members of both the Republican and Democratic parties on the committee.
Investigations aim to uncover how a shooter managed to get onto the roof of a building with a semi-automatic rifle, positioned less than 150 meters from the stage where Donald Trump was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in the northeastern part of the country.
“Incompetence”
The 78-year-old former president suffered a minor injury to his ear during the shooting. Images of him with blood on his face and his fist raised became viral. One bystander was killed, and two others sustained serious injuries.
The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was shot dead by the Secret Service just 26 seconds after firing the first of eight shots.
This weekend, US media reported that the Secret Service had previously declined requests to enhance Donald Trump’s security.
This agency is responsible for the safety of the president, vice president, former presidents and their families, as well as major electoral candidates and foreign leaders visiting the United States.
At the beginning of the hearing, the committee’s chairman, Republican James Comer, stated that this “tragedy was preventable,” expressing strong belief that Kimberly Cheatle “should resign.”
“The Secret Service cannot afford to make even the smallest mistakes in its operations, yet it failed on July 13 and in the days leading up to the event in Pennsylvania,” he added.
According to him, the agency, which “employs thousands and operates with a substantial budget,” has now become synonymous with “incompetence.”
A former physician for Trump stated over the weekend that the ex-president has a two-centimeter wound on the top of his right ear that is beginning to heal.
“The bullet came within an inch of penetrating his head,” said Ronny Jackson, now an ultraconservative congressman from Texas, who claimed he has been providing care to the Republican candidate since the assassination attempt.
Secret Service Faces Scrutiny After Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump
(AFP) – The director of the Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, acknowledged during a recent congressional hearing that her agency had failed in its mission to protect Donald Trump, who was the target of an assassination attempt on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Cheatle, appointed in 2022 by President Joe Biden, faced intense scrutiny from lawmakers across the political spectrum, all questioning her leadership and the effectiveness of the Secret Service.
Admission of Failure
During the House Oversight Committee session, Cheatle stated, “The solemn mission of the Secret Service is to protect our nation’s leaders … On July 13, we failed.” This acknowledgment of the “most significant operational failure of the Secret Service in decades” drew both criticism and support, with many calling for her resignation. Cheatle refuted these demands, asserting, “I think I am the best person to lead the Secret Service at the moment,” indicating her commitment to the agency despite ongoing investigations.
Details of the Incident
The alarming incident occurred when a shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, managed to find a position on the roof of a building less than 150 meters from where Donald Trump was speaking. Crooks fired eight shots, and within seconds, Secret Service agents returned fire, killing him. Tragically, one bystander died, and two others suffered serious injuries.
Injuries Sustained
- Donald Trump: Incurred a two-centimeter wound to the right ear, which has since begun to heal.
- Victims: One bystander was fatally shot; two others sustained serious injuries.
Investigations and Accountability
Following the attempt on Trump’s life, multiple investigations have been launched to scrutinize the security failures that allowed a shooter to penetrate such proximity to a former president. Lawmakers expressed their frustrations over Cheatle’s limited responses during the hearing, which left many questions unanswered.
Political Ramifications
The fallout from this incident has put the Secret Service under a microscope, with accusations of incompetence and mismanagement overwhelming the agency’s ability to effectively protect high-profile individuals. The committee chairman, Republican James Comer, stated that the tragedy was “avoidable” and that there was a gross failure in preparations leading up to the Pennsylvania rally.
Security Measures and Recommendations
In light of the recent events, experts in security have suggested several measures that could enhance the effectiveness of the Secret Service:
- Enhanced Threat Assesment: Implement better predictive analytics to identify potential threats based on public sentiment and social media activity.
- Increased Security Protocols: Revise and reinforce protocols for large public events involving high-profile individuals to ensure thorough checks and balances are in place.
- Collaboration with Local Law Enforcement: Foster relationships between the Secret Service and local police departments for better on-the-ground intelligence.
Public Discontent
The incident has not only raised alarms about the Secret Service’s competence but has also engendered a broader conversation about the safety of public figures. Ronny Jackson, a former physician for Trump, shared with the media that the bullet was “within an inch of entering his [Trump’s] head,” amplifying concerns regarding security protocols during public appearances by prominent leaders.
Official Statements and Future Directions
Lawmakers from both parties have emphasized the importance of accountability, with many demanding a thorough investigation into the Secret Service’s actions leading up to the July incident. In response to these mounting pressures, Cheatle has promised an internal review and expressed her dedication to upholding the agency’s mission to protect the nation’s leaders.
Conclusion
As the investigations continue, the future of the Secret Service remains uncertain. The response of the agency to this high-pressure situation will be critical in shaping public perception and determining its capacity to effectively safeguard national leaders moving forward.
