Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) grilled Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle at a House hearing, accusing her of dishonesty and incompetence in the agency's handling of the attempted assassination of former President Trump. Cheatle admitted to a "colossal failure" in the response, but denied knowledge of a leak of her opening statement to media outlets hours before it was received by the committee.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) unleashed a fiery attack on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle at a House Oversight Committee hearing on Monday, accusing her of "bulls---" and "being completely dishonest" in her responses to questions about the agency's handling of the attempted assassination of former President Trump.
The intense exchange came after Cheatle admitted to a "colossal failure" in the agency's response to the Pennsylvania rally shooting, where a man with a gun was able to get within feet of Trump before being apprehended.
Secret Service Director Accused of Dishonesty and Incompetence at Trump Assassination Attempt Hearing
Mace grilled Cheatle on a series of yes or no questions, including whether leaking her opening statement to news outlets hours before it was sent to the committee was political. Cheatle denied knowledge of the leak, prompting Mace to respond, "Well, that's bulls---."
Mace continued her questioning, asking Cheatle if she had provided all audio and video recordings in her possession to the committee. Cheatle replied that she would have to get back to her, leading Mace to declare, "That is a no. You're full of s-- today. You're just being completely dishonest."
Secret Service Director Accused of Dishonesty and Incompetence at Trump Assassination Attempt Hearing
Mace's barrage of accusations drew a call for decorum from within the hearing room. Undeterred, Mace continued, "You are being dishonest or lying. You're being dishonest here with this committee. These are important questions that the American people want answers to. And you're just, you're just dodging and talking around it in generalities."
Mace expressed frustration that the committee had to subpoena Cheatle to testify and accused her of being unafraid of being fired. "She wouldn't answer our questions. These are very basic questions," Mace said outside the hearing room. "She couldn't even answer the question of how many Secret Service agents were even on site that day. It's complete and total bulls---."
Secret Service Director Accused of Dishonesty and Incompetence at Trump Assassination Attempt Hearing
Cheatle's testimony has drawn widespread criticism, with lawmakers from both parties expressing dissatisfaction with her responses. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) described the Secret Service's handling of the Trump rally shooting as "an egregious failure" that "cannot stand."
The hearing is part of a broader investigation by the House Oversight Committee into the Secret Service's response to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot and other security incidents involving former President Trump.
Secret Service Director Accused of Dishonesty and Incompetence at Trump Assassination Attempt Hearing
Cheatle has been criticized for her leadership of the Secret Service, with some calling for her resignation. However, Cheatle has stated that she has no plans to step down.
The Secret Service has been under intense scrutiny since the Trump rally shooting incident, and the hearing is expected to further amplify calls for increased accountability and transparency within the agency.
