Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) has accused Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle of lying directly to him about the agency's response to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Cheatle is scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee on Monday.
United States Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle is facing accusations of misleading Congress about the agency's response to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) has alleged that Cheatle "lied directly to me" about the details of the incident.
Cheatle is scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee on Monday, where she will be questioned about the agency's handling of the incident. Jackson has called for Cheatle's resignation, saying that she has lost the trust of Congress.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle Admits to Misleading Congress
The Secret Service has been under fire since the July 13 incident, which saw a gunman open fire on Trump's motorcade in Butler, Pennsylvania. The gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was apprehended by law enforcement officers, but not before firing several shots at Trump's vehicle.
Trump was not injured in the attack, but the incident has raised serious questions about the Secret Service's ability to protect the former president.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle Admits to Misleading Congress
In a Sunday press release, Cheatle expressed her support for an independent security review of the Secret Service's actions related to the assassination attempt. She wrote that the agency is "eager to cooperate with the independent security review" and that she "looks forward to the panel examining what happened and providing recommendations to help ensure it will never happen again."
However, Jackson has expressed skepticism about the independent review, saying that it is "nothing more than a public relations stunt." He has called for a full-fledged congressional investigation into the Secret Service's handling of the incident.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle Admits to Misleading Congress
The Secret Service has a long history of protecting presidents and other high-profile figures. However, the agency has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years, particularly in the wake of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.
The Secret Service is responsible for protecting the president, the vice president, and their families, as well as other high-ranking government officials and foreign dignitaries. The agency also investigates threats against these individuals and conducts protective intelligence operations.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle Admits to Misleading Congress
The Secret Service has been criticized for its handling of several high-profile incidents, including the 2014 shooting at the White House and the 2017 bombing of a concert in Manchester, England.
The agency has also been criticized for its use of excessive force, particularly against protesters. In 2020, the Secret Service was involved in the violent clearing of protesters from Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C.
The Secret Service has defended its actions, saying that it is committed to protecting the president and other high-profile figures. However, the agency has also acknowledged that it needs to make improvements to its operations.
The independent review of the Secret Service's response to the assassination attempt on Trump is expected to be completed within 45 days. The panel will review the agency's policies and procedures before and after the incident and make recommendations for improvements.
The Secret Service has said that it will cooperate fully with the independent review and that it is committed to making the necessary changes to improve its operations.
