US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle admitted on Monday that the agency failed in its mission to prevent the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, describing the incident as the most significant operational failure in decades.
During her testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, Cheatle took full responsibility for the security lapse but rejected bipartisan calls for her resignation. She stated, “On July 13, we failed,” referring to the day when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire on Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Crooks, armed with an AR-style rifle and positioned on a nearby rooftop, fired eight shots before being neutralized by a Secret Service sniper within 26 seconds. The shooting resulted in the death of firefighter Corey Comperatore and serious injuries to two rally attendees. Trump, slightly wounded in his right ear, was reported to have a two-centimeter gunshot wound, according to his former physician, Ronny Jackson.
Cheatle acknowledged the severity of the failure, stating, “There clearly was a mistake and we will make every effort to ensure this never happens again.” However, she faced intense scrutiny from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Committee Chairman James Comer criticized the agency’s performance, asserting, “This tragedy was preventable” and calling for Cheatle’s resignation.
Representative Michael Turner also urged Cheatle to step down, suggesting that if she refused, President Joe Biden should dismiss her. Cheatle countered these demands, asserting she is the best person to lead the agency at this time and declined to answer specific questions due to ongoing investigations.
Cheatle, who previously served as a Secret Service agent for 27 years and later headed security for PepsiCo, was appointed to lead the agency by Biden in 2022.
