Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, discusses the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle following a heated House hearing on the security lapses that allowed an assassination attempt on former President Trump.
Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, discusses the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle following a heated House hearing on the security lapses that allowed an assassination attempt on former President Trump.
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Secret Service Director Resigns Amid Scathing Criticism Over Trump Assassination Attempt
Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has resigned amid mounting pressure following a House hearing on the security lapses that allowed an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
Rep. Fallon, who serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, said Cheatle's resignation is "a welcome step towards ensuring the safety of all high-profile protectees."
Secret Service Director Resigns Amid Scathing Criticism Over Trump Assassination Attempt
Cheatle's resignation comes after she provided "nonsensical, incoherent, and unsubstantive answers" to questions from lawmakers about the security breach.
One of the most glaring failures was the lack of a manned detail at the building from which the shooter fired. Cheatle's explanation that the roof was too steep was contradicted by the fact that FBI counter snipers were stationed on a nearby building with a steeper incline.
Secret Service Director Resigns Amid Scathing Criticism Over Trump Assassination Attempt
Cheatle also admitted that she had the authority to surge additional resources to protect Trump but did not do so.
Fallon said Cheatle's comments and testimony "make clear that this mission was on the pathway to failure during the planning process."
Secret Service Director Resigns Amid Scathing Criticism Over Trump Assassination Attempt
He pointed out that the Secret Service did not conduct a vulnerability assessment, which would have identified the shooter's building as a threat. There was also a disconnect between the Secret Service and local law enforcement, which prevented local police from communicating the shooter's presence to Trump's detail.
Fallon said these lapses in security and planning are "shocking, distressing, and extremely troublesome." He called for a change of culture at the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the agency.
Cheatle's resignation is the first step in what Fallon called "a long journey towards ensuring the safety of all high-profile protectees."
* The assassination attempt on Trump occurred on July 13th in Butler, Pennsylvania.
* The shooter, 20-year-old Daniel H. Bowman, was taken into custody without incident.
* Trump was not injured in the attack.
