The United States’ secret service director Kimberly Cheatle admitted that they failed to protect Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a July 13 campaign rally in Pennsylvania this week.
While speaking before the House of Representatives Oversight Committee, the director testified, “We failed. As the director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse.”
“The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on July 13th is the most significant operational failure at the Secret Service in decades,” she added.
She also stated that after the attempted assasination incident, the level of security has been increased before the campaign and has been steadily increasing as threats evolve. “Our mission is not political. It is literally a matter of life and death.”
Secret Service chief faces calls to resign
“The nation deserves answers and accountability,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., posted on the social media platform X. “New leadership at the Secret Service would be an important step in that direction.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said on X that Biden should fire Cheatle immediately, noting Comperatore’s death and saying that “we … were millimeters away from losing President Trump. It is inexcusable.” Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., said in a statement Saturday that ”the evidence coming to light has shown unacceptable operational failures” and he would have no confidence in Cheatle’s leadership if she were to stay in the job.
Democratic President Joe Biden appointed Cheatle in August 2022 said in an ABC News interview last week that she will not step down, and on Monday plans to stress the agency’s plans to cooperate with a series of investigations into how the agency failed to stop the shooter.
What happened on July 13
Trump was evacuated to a safe space after gunshots were heard in the crowd during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. He was visibly bleeding from his right ear as he was removed from the stage following the gunshot.
According to a statement by a White House spokesperson, the suspect and at least one attendee were killed, while two others were injured during the incident.
Later, Trump released a statement saying he was “fine” and undergoing a check-up at a medical facility. Trump said, “I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.” He added, “The bullet pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
A Secret Service spokesperson, Anthony Guglielmi, stated on social media. “An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available,” Guglielmi said on X.
While speaking before the House of Representatives Oversight Committee, the director testified, “We failed. As the director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse.”
“The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on July 13th is the most significant operational failure at the Secret Service in decades,” she added.
She also stated that after the attempted assasination incident, the level of security has been increased before the campaign and has been steadily increasing as threats evolve. “Our mission is not political. It is literally a matter of life and death.”
Secret Service chief faces calls to resign
“The nation deserves answers and accountability,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., posted on the social media platform X. “New leadership at the Secret Service would be an important step in that direction.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said on X that Biden should fire Cheatle immediately, noting Comperatore’s death and saying that “we … were millimeters away from losing President Trump. It is inexcusable.” Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., said in a statement Saturday that ”the evidence coming to light has shown unacceptable operational failures” and he would have no confidence in Cheatle’s leadership if she were to stay in the job.
Democratic President Joe Biden appointed Cheatle in August 2022 said in an ABC News interview last week that she will not step down, and on Monday plans to stress the agency’s plans to cooperate with a series of investigations into how the agency failed to stop the shooter.
What happened on July 13
Trump was evacuated to a safe space after gunshots were heard in the crowd during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. He was visibly bleeding from his right ear as he was removed from the stage following the gunshot.
According to a statement by a White House spokesperson, the suspect and at least one attendee were killed, while two others were injured during the incident.
Later, Trump released a statement saying he was “fine” and undergoing a check-up at a medical facility. Trump said, “I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.” He added, “The bullet pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
A Secret Service spokesperson, Anthony Guglielmi, stated on social media. “An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available,” Guglielmi said on X.