The director of the U.S. Secret Service is facing heightened scrutiny following Saturday’s assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump.
An eyewitness at the Butler, Pa., rally told the BBC that he warned police about the gunman before Trump was shot at approximately 6:15 p.m. The interview, which was shared widely on social media, sparked outrage.
House Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., announced Saturday that “I have already contacted the Secret Service for a briefing and am also calling on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear for a hearing.”
Cheatle was appointed by President Joe Biden to be director of the Secret Service in 2022. Her 25-year career included a stint serving on Biden’s security detail as vice president.
Sean Davis, CEO and co-founder of The Federalist, reported that Trump’s security detail had requested “beefed up protection and resources for weeks, but has been rebuffed time and again.”
The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for making such decisions. For example, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas personally declined a request from presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secret Service protection.
The Heritage Foundation’s Christian Lasval posted video from June 13 in Washington, D.C., revealing that he was able to stand approximately 10 feet from Trump without any interference from law enforcement.
Members of Congress sounded off Saturday as more details emerged about the shooting.
Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, praised Secret Services officers for their swift reaction Saturday but questioned the agency’s leadership during an interview on Fox News.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., demanded the Democrat-led Senate initiate an investigation to reveal what happened.
Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, D-Miss., ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, in April introduced legislation to remove Trump’s protection. “This legislation would reform the U.S. Secret Service’s protective mission by automatically terminating Secret Service protection for those who have been sentenced to prison following conviction for a Federal or State felony,” Thompson announced at the time.
Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, who blamed the assassination attempt on the rhetoric of progressive Democrats like Biden, called for Thompson to be expelled from Congress.
As lawmakers examine Saturday’s incident, the FBI announced that it would take the lead role investigating the assassination attempt.