Director Kimberly Cheatle faces intense scrutiny and growing demands to step down over the Trump rally shooting, as FBI Director Chris Wray reveals new details about the alleged assassin.
At a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has faced fierce criticism from Senators over the agency's handling of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Lawmakers grilled Cheatle, questioning her accountability and competence, leading to calls for her resignation.
Compounding the pressure on Cheatle, FBI Director Chris Wray disclosed during a congressional hearing that the alleged shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, conducted an online search for "major depressive disorder" prior to the incident. Wray added that Crooks' cellphone contained images of Trump and President Biden, along with specific times and dates of the Republican and Democratic national conventions.
Secret Service Chief Grilled by Senators, Calls for Resignation Mount
Despite the extensive investigation, the FBI has yet to establish a clear motive for Crooks' actions. However, Wray revealed that Crooks conducted multiple visits to the rally site before the shooting, raising further questions about his intentions.
Senator Tim Burchett expressed frustration with the lack of definitive answers, stating, "I'm not buying that they have nothing. If they (the Secret Service) don't want conspiracy theories, they have to move quickly and answer tough questions."
Secret Service Chief Grilled by Senators, Calls for Resignation Mount
The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed Cheatle to appear before the panel on July 22. The committee demanded "answers from Director Cheatle about the attempted assassination of President Trump and the Secret Service's egregious failures."
Meanwhile, the investigation into the incident continues. Secret Service snipers "neutralized" Crooks after he fired multiple shots from a rooftop overlooking the rally, about 150 yards from where Trump was speaking. The circumstances surrounding Crooks' access to the building's roof remain under scrutiny.
Secret Service Chief Grilled by Senators, Calls for Resignation Mount
Lawmakers have also expressed concerns about the lack of information regarding how Crooks obtained a firearm despite his lack of a criminal record or traffic citations.
Questions linger over whether the Secret Service could have prevented the incident, with finger-pointing between the agency and local police over the security arrangements.
Secret Service Chief Grilled by Senators, Calls for Resignation Mount
Crooks, who would have turned 21 in September, was a registered Republican who had only participated in one election. His parents, who are both counselors, were not actively involved in his daily life, according to The New York Times.
As the investigation unfolds, the Secret Service faces intense scrutiny and pressure to address the security lapses that allowed Crooks to infiltrate the rally and pose a threat to Trump and others in attendance.
Secret Service Chief Grilled by Senators, Calls for Resignation Mount
