Republican Senators Confront Secret Service Director over Trump Assassination Attempt

Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn and Wyoming Senator John Barrasso confront Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle days after the attempted assassination of former President Trump.

Republican senators confronted Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday over the attempted assassination of former President Trump on Saturday, demanding answers from her as they expressed outrage over the security failure.

Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) were captured on video confronting Cheatle in Milwaukee, accompanied by Sens. James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.).

Republican Senators Confront Secret Service Director over Trump Assassination Attempt

"This was an assassination attempt, you owe the people answers, you owe President Trump answers," Blackburn said to Cheatle.

In a separate video, the senators continued to question Cheatle, who responded that the convention center was not the appropriate venue for such a discussion, but she was willing to answer questions later. However, she left the suite before she could engage with the lawmakers, prompting them to yell at her.

Republican Senators Confront Secret Service Director over Trump Assassination Attempt

The confrontation comes amidst intense criticism from Republicans and some Democrats over the circumstances surrounding the attempt on Trump's life in Butler, Pennsylvania. The gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, shot Trump in the ear, killing one attendee and injuring two others.

Lawmakers have expressed concerns over the gunman's ability to get so close and fire multiple shots, especially given reports that he was seen climbing up the building before the attack.

Republican Senators Confront Secret Service Director over Trump Assassination Attempt

FBI Director Christopher Wray held briefings with both the House and Senate on Wednesday to address lawmakers' concerns. Barrasso later characterized the meeting as an attempt to "cover their asses."

Cheatle has agreed to comply with a subpoena from House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer. She has called the shooting "unacceptable" and pledged to review security procedures, but her comments about a "sloped roof" causing safety issues have drawn further criticism.

Republican Senators Confront Secret Service Director over Trump Assassination Attempt

"It is appalling that the Secret Service Director refused to answer our questions. This is one of the greatest security failures in the history of the agency," Blackburn said in a statement. "She can run but she cannot hide. She is a failed leader and she needs to immediately step down from her position."

Cheatle's attempts to deflect responsibility have failed to satisfy Republican lawmakers, including Barrasso and Blackburn, who continue to demand accountability for the security lapse that put Trump and others at risk.