Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) is calling for the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle following her appearance at the Republican National Convention amidst scrutiny over security failures at a recent Trump rally shooting.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is demanding accountability from Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle after the Pennsylvania Trump rally shooting. Johnson, the highest-ranking official to call for Cheatle's resignation, is now commissioning a bipartisan task force, armed with subpoena power, to investigate the security failings that led to the incident.
The embattled Secret Service director was seen at the RNC venue on Wednesday, where she was confronted by several Republican senators who have been dissatisfied with her answers thus far on what happened. Johnson questioned Cheatle's decision to appear at the convention while under so much scrutiny.
Speaker Johnson Condemns Secret Service Director for Convention Appearance
"I'm not sure what she was doing here. Why would she walk around when she's under so much scrutiny?" Johnson told Fox News Digital in an interview at the RNC in Milwaukee. "I don't understand her decision-making process, and I don't think she's fit to lead at this critical time."
Johnson expressed particular concern over Cheatle's focus on diversity efforts within the Secret Service, arguing that it has taken away from more critical efforts. "She doesn't seem to be the most qualified person, and she doesn't seem to have a great grasp of what her primary responsibility is," he said.
Speaker Johnson Condemns Secret Service Director for Convention Appearance
The speaker criticized President Biden's decision to appoint Cheatle, asserting that the number one priority should be the safety of those under protection, rather than diversity initiatives. "That is not the number one priority. The number one priority is the safety of the persons that they are supposed to be protecting."
Johnson's call for accountability echoes the concerns raised by other Republican leaders, including Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). Grassley has stated that he has "lost confidence" in Cheatle's ability to lead the Secret Service.
Speaker Johnson Condemns Secret Service Director for Convention Appearance
The Secret Service has faced intense scrutiny since the Trump rally shooting, which resulted in the arrest of a 20-year-old gunman. Despite being seen beforehand by local law enforcement and civilians, the gunman was able to fire shots off a roof just outside of the rally perimeter.
House lawmakers held a call with Cheatle and FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday to address their concerns, but Johnson said that the call offered "very little" insight. "They're not providing answers quickly enough and the answers they do provide are not satisfactory," he said.
Speaker Johnson Condemns Secret Service Director for Convention Appearance
Johnson is aiming to schedule a classified briefing on the shooting next week and has tasked his bipartisan task force with investigating the security lapses. The task force will have the authority to subpoena witnesses and documents, a crucial step towards ensuring accountability.
The Secret Service has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded.
