Secret Service Denied Trump Requests for More Security, Shooter Seen 20 Minutes Before Attack
WASHINGTON – Three investigations are currently underway into the Secret Service following last Saturday’s assassination attempt on Donald Trump. On Monday, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle testified on Capitol Hill as calls mount for her resignation.
In a packed hearing room, Director Cheatle faced bipartisan criticism over how her agency handled security before a 20-year-old man shot Trump from a nearby rooftop. Lawmakers repeatedly questioned who was responsible for the agency and whether Cheatle should retain her position, but she continued to refuse to step down.
“Our mission is not political. It is literally a matter of life and death,” Cheatle stated in her first public appearance since the rally. She promised to move “heaven and earth” to ensure that an incident like the one on July 13th never happens again. “I have full confidence in the men and women of the Secret Service. They are worthy of our support in executing our protective mission.”
Despite her reassurances, Cheatle is facing multiple calls for her resignation from Republicans and at least one Democrat. “We almost lost a presidential candidate that day,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA).
Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) praised the efforts of Secret Service agents during the incident but questioned Cheatle’s leadership. “While we give thanks to the Secret Service agents who did their jobs under immense pressure, this tragedy was preventable,” Comer said.
Cheatle insists that agents would not have allowed Trump to take the stage if they had known of a legitimate threat. However, critics point to media reports and video footage showing that the Secret Service, law enforcement, and even rallygoers knew of the threat at least 20 minutes before shots were fired.
“The rally wasn’t paused at that point either, correct?” questioned Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL).
“No,” Cheatle said.
Lawmakers also questioned why the Secret Service did not place personnel on the roof of the building from which the gunman fired. “You could have put Barney Fife on the roof and kept somebody from getting up there,” remarked Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL).
Cheatle was also asked about the delay in removing Trump from the stage after he was hit by a bullet. Matthew Crooks fired eight shots before a Secret Service sniper killed him.
In a heated exchange with House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), Cheatle insisted that past requests for additional security by Trump’s campaign were denied. “Your spokesman acknowledged the Secret Service had turned down some requests. I’m asking how many,” Jordan pressed.
“A denial of request is not equal to vulnerability,” Cheatle responded.
There are also reports that the gunman flew a drone over the rally site a few hours before Trump took the stage, which would have allowed him to get an overhead view that likely helped him plan his attack.
Republican and Democratic leaders of the House Oversight Committee, Comer and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) say they will send an official letter calling for Kimberly Cheatle’s resignation.
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