NOT HOLDING BACK: Secret Service Director Grilled On Capitol Hill
By Joe Pags Staff
(Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle testified before Congress today regarding the massive failure of security measures which led to the assassination attempt on former President Trump.
She appeared before Congress after being issued a subpoena from the House Oversight Committee but gave little answers which did not sit well with any of those in the committee.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) grilled the director over Trump’s repeated requests for increased security at rallies. “So which is it? Were you guessing or lying when you said you didn’t turn down requests for President Trump’s detail?” Jordan bluntly asked when she in public said there were no requests but according to the Trump campaign, they asked numerous times for increased security.
“For the event in Butler there were no requests that were denied,” Cheatle said.
“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 for specifically.
“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 said clearly trying to provide a non-answer to a very serious question.
“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 said absolutely fed up with her responses.
“I am here today because I want to answer questions,” Cheatle replied.
When the hearing began, Rep. James Comer described the assassination attempt as “one of the darkest days in American political history,” following with his “firm belief” that Director Cheatle must resign immediately.
“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,” Chairman Comer said to begin. “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. 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.”
Comer also asked Cheatle if the Secret Service had an agent on that roof where the shooter was? She again gave a non-answer to a extremely simple question.
Comer followed up again,“Can you answer why the Secret Service didn’t place a single agent on the roof?”
“We are still looking into the advance process and the decisions that were made,” she said. Comer quickly asked whether or not 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 continuing to give little to any detail.
Despite the outcry from Congress to immediately resign, Cheatle testified “I think I am the best person to lead the Secret Service at this time.” Even the Democrats had enough of Cheatle, reminding her that she is responsible for her agency and this massive security failure will have consequences.
