Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle Faces Bipartisan Calls for Resignation

Avery Emberly

Updated Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 6:06 AM CDT

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle Faces Bipartisan Calls for Resignation

In a heated session before the House Oversight Committee, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle faced severe criticism for security lapses related to an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. The incident, which took place at a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, was described by Cheatle as the “most significant operational failure of the Secret Service in decades.”

Committee members from both parties were vocal in their disapproval, calling for Cheatle’s resignation and accusing her of incompetence and making excuses. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., went a step further, accusing Cheatle of dishonesty and announcing her intention to file articles of impeachment against her. Mace's articles cite high crimes and misdemeanors and a failure to discharge duties faithfully. Similarly, Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., announced plans to introduce impeachment articles following Cheatle's appearance before the committee.

The impeachment clauses applicable to all federal officials, not just presidents or judges, could see Cheatle facing significant repercussions. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., plans to draft a resolution to hold Cheatle in inherent contempt, which could result in fines or even custody. During the hearing, bipartisan frustration was evident. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., and Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, demanded clear answers from Cheatle about the security failures.

Rep. Michael Turner, R-Ohio, criticized Cheatle for appearing "incompetent," pointing out that Trump survived the shooting despite the lapses. Cheatle accepted responsibility for the incident and pledged to take corrective action but did not provide specific figures on the number of agents assigned to protect Trump or the number of times additional security requests were denied.

Cheatle insisted that the assets requested for the July 13 rally were provided and that there was a sufficient number of agents assigned. The gunman, identified as suspicious before Trump took the stage, was not considered a "threat" until "seconds" before the gunfire began. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., argued that the rally should have been paused when spectators noticed the armed man on the roof.

Despite the gravity of the situation, Cheatle mentioned that counter-s*****s do not need permission to shoot threats and that there was no order to hold fire during the incident. She also addressed concerns about her communication practices, stating she occasionally uses encrypted apps but not on her work device. Cheatle, who was subpoenaed to testify, did not provide clear answers regarding the security measures for the building from which the gunman fired, citing an ongoing investigation.

Despite calls for her resignation, Cheatle intends to stay on as director and has pledged to improve security protocols moving forward. The committee's next steps could determine the future leadership of the Secret Service amid this high-stakes controversy.

Conservative Bias:

This entire debacle is a glaring example of liberal incompetence at its finest. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, a product of the left's obsession with diversity over merit, has proven utterly incapable of protecting our nation's leaders. This is what happens when you prioritize political correctness over competence. The liberals are so busy pushing their woke agenda that they can't even ensure the safety of a former president. It's no surprise that the likes of Rep. Nancy Mace and Rep. Greg Steube are calling for her impeachment. The left's inability to manage basic security protocols has endangered lives and shown once again that they are unfit to lead. Cheatle's pathetic excuses and lack of accountability are typical of the liberal playbook—deflect, deny, and distract. The American people deserve better than this circus of incompetence. It's time to clean house and put capable, conservative leadership back in charge of our nation's security.

Liberal Bias:

The real scandal here is the GOP's shameless politicization of a tragic event. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle is being scapegoated by Republicans desperate to deflect from their own failures and corruption. This is nothing more than a witch hunt led by the likes of Rep. Nancy Mace and Rep. Greg Steube, who are using Cheatle as a pawn in their cynical game. The truth is, the GOP has consistently underfunded and undermined our security agencies, leaving them ill-equipped to handle threats. The Republicans' reckless rhetoric and refusal to support common-sense gun control measures have created an environment where violence is all too common. Instead of addressing these root causes, they are attacking Cheatle to score cheap political points. This disgraceful behavior is a stark reminder of why the GOP cannot be trusted with our nation's security. The American people see through this charade and demand accountability from the real culprits—the Republicans who have failed to protect us time and time again.

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