Director Kimberly Cheatle's claim that personnel could not position themselves on the building's roof due to its slope has sparked outrage, despite images of snipers deployed on a similar surface.
The director of the Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, faces intense scrutiny for her assertion that personnel were not stationed on the roof of the building where a sniper targeted former President Trump, citing a "sloped roof" despite photographic evidence contradicting her statement.
During an interview with ABC News, Cheatle acknowledged the security vulnerabilities posed by the building where Thomas Matthew Crooks fired at Trump. However, she maintained that "that building in particular has a sloped roof at its highest point," adding that "there's a safety factor that would be considered there that we wouldn't want to put somebody up on a sloped roof."
Secret Service Director's "Sloped Roof" Excuse Draws Fire
Cheatle's explanation has ignited a storm of criticism on social media, with many expressing disbelief and disbelief.
"Total BS excuse," tweeted Sean Parnell, a former Army Ranger and author. "Our snipers used to set in on mountain tops in Afghanistan. On the down slopes if need be."
Secret Service Director's "Sloped Roof" Excuse Draws Fire
Jim DeMint, a former U.S. senator from South Carolina, echoed similar sentiments: "This sad excuse about defies believability. The snipers above President Trump were on a sloped roof so why couldn’t they secure the sloped roof that the assassin was on?"
Collin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics, accused Cheatle of "bulls---ing," highlighting the presence of snipers on a sloped roof behind Trump's podium during the rally.
Secret Service Director's "Sloped Roof" Excuse Draws Fire
Despite the mounting criticism, the Secret Service has not responded to requests for clarification on Cheatle's remarks.
Critics have pointed out the abundance of images depicting snipers positioned on sloped roofs for security purposes, including during a visit by former President Obama to the G8 summit in 2012.
Secret Service Director's "Sloped Roof" Excuse Draws Fire
The Secret Service's handling of the Trump assassination attempt has come under fire from former agents and law enforcement experts, who have raised concerns about potential security lapses and failures.
One former agent, Jonathan Wackrow, told Fox News that the agency's "failures" in the incident are "beyond belief."
Secret Service Director's "Sloped Roof" Excuse Draws Fire
The incident has sparked a congressional investigation, and lawmakers have expressed concerns about the Secret Service's screening and security protocols.
The Secret Service has maintained that it is committed to investigating the incident thoroughly and implementing any necessary improvements. However, the public's trust in the agency has been shaken by the latest revelations and Cheatle's controversial remarks.
