WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Michael Cloud (R-TX), in a House Oversight Committee hearing, confronted U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on the unprecedented security failure that nearly resulted in the assassination of former President Donald Trump.

The Committee subpoenaed Director Cheatle to explain the security failures during President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13th. Approximately 10 minutes into President Trump’s speech, a gunman fired multiple shots at him while he was on stage. One of the bullets struck him in the ear, narrowly missing a fatal injury by mere centimeters. Although Secret Service agents quickly intervened to stop the threat and evacuate Trump, the fact that the shooting occurred at all highlights a severe security lapse that should have resulted in the immediate termination of everyone responsible.

During the hearing, Director Cheatle refused to answer the most basic questions about the Secret Service’s missteps that day, including critical details such as the number of shell casings found on the roof. When Congressman Cloud directly asked her how many shell casings were discovered, she refused to answer. On multiple occasions, she deflected by stating that the FBI is investigating or that it had only been 9 days since the attack, claiming she was not yet aware of the specifics. It’s unacceptable that after 9 days, she couldn’t provide any information to bring transparency to the American people about what happened.

Shockingly, Director Cheatle also admitted to Congressman Cloud that she did not review the security plan for the Trump event and further revealed that she never reviews any event security plans and couldn’t say who in the agency does. Rep. Cloud made the point that this was yet another example of bureaucrats in DC having so-called ‘layers of accountability’ which turn into ‘plausible deniability,’ to avoid anyone taking actual responsibility.

Cloud also questioned how Cheatle and the Secret Service could be trusted by the American people to investigate their own wrongdoing and the lack of credibility this creates. How can anyone in America trust the results of an investigation conducted by the very department responsible for the failure? The extreme lack of oversight and accountability across the board was extremely concerning and underscores the urgent need for drastic change in Washington.

The following day of the hearing, Director Cheatle resigned from her position. This resignation marks the beginning of what must be a broader effort to reform the Secret Service and restore its commitment to its core mission of protecting our nation’s leaders.

Rep. Cloud released the following statement:

“Whether it is the FBI or Dr. Fauci, time after time, ‘multiple layers of accountability’ turn into plausible deniability, so no one is actually held responsible for their failures in DC. The resignation of Secret Service Director Cheatle following our hearing is a start, but comes only after she was exposed on national television for having no answers to her department’s utter failure. It took 9 days, and frankly, her resignation is 9 days too late.

The primary responsibility of the Secret Service is to ensure the safety and security of our nation’s leaders – not to make sure assassination attempts don’t happen twice. This type of critical lapse in security is not something you get a second chance at. As the director of the Secret Service, the expectation is perfection, not post-failure reassurances. Anything less undermines the integrity and trust placed in this agency.”

To watch the full exchange, click here.

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