Secret Service director urged to resign after Trump assassination attempt

news-21072024-033319

Rep. Brendan Boyle, a Democratic representative from Pennsylvania, is calling for the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle following the attempted assassination of former President Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The incident occurred when a gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire from inside a building, resulting in the death of a rally spectator who was protecting his wife and daughter, as well as injuries to several others, including Trump himself.

Boyle expressed his lack of confidence in Cheatle’s leadership, citing unacceptable operational failures that have come to light in the wake of the shooting. He is the first congressional Democrat to publicly urge Cheatle to resign. Cheatle, on the other hand, has stated that she has no intention of resigning and that she intends to remain as Secret Service director.

In response to the shooting, there has been bipartisan criticism of the Secret Service’s handling of the situation. Republican lawmakers including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have called for new leadership within the Secret Service. McConnell has stressed the need for accountability and answers after such a serious attack on American democracy.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who oversees the Secret Service, expressed full confidence in the agency despite the incident. President Biden has ordered an independent review of the security protocols at the meeting, and Cheatle has pledged to cooperate with that review and any congressional oversight actions.

Republican lawmakers have vowed to launch congressional investigations into the shooting, with Cheatle expected to testify before the House Oversight Committee. Chairman James Comer stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing the security failures that led to the attempted assassination of President Trump and the tragic loss of life at the rally.

As the nation awaits answers and explanations for the security breaches that occurred, the calls for Cheatle’s resignation underscore the gravity of the situation and the need for accountability within the Secret Service. The coming testimony and investigation will shed more light on the events surrounding the assassination attempt and the agency’s response to the threat.