Secret Service Director Admits Failure to Protect Trump, Faces Resignation Calls

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle testified before the House Oversight Committee, acknowledging that the agency "failed" to protect former President Donald Trump. The admission prompted calls for her resignation from Rep. Ro Khanna.

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has admitted that her agency "failed" to protect former President Donald Trump, drawing criticism and calls for her resignation from lawmakers.

During a hearing before the House Oversight Committee on Monday, Rep. Ro Khanna grilled Cheatle over the Secret Service's handling of an incident in which a man with a gun approached Trump's motorcade. Khanna questioned whether Cheatle should remain in her position given the agency's failure.

Secret Service Director Admits Failure to Protect Trump, Faces Resignation Calls

"Director Cheatle, would you agree that this is the most serious security lapse since President Reagan was shot in 1981?" Khanna asked.

"Yes sir, I would," Cheatle responded.

Secret Service Director Admits Failure to Protect Trump, Faces Resignation Calls

Khanna went on to point out that Stuart Knight, who was in charge of the Secret Service at the time of Reagan's assassination attempt, resigned after the incident. He argued that Cheatle should follow Knight's example.

"Stuart Knight was not a Democratic appointee," Khanna said. "If you have an assassination attempt on a president or a former president or a candidate, you need to resign."

Secret Service Director Admits Failure to Protect Trump, Faces Resignation Calls

Cheatle defended her decision to remain in her position, stating that she is committed to improving the Secret Service's security measures.

"I take full responsibility for any security lapse of our agency," Cheatle said in her opening statement. "We are fully cooperating with ongoing investigations. We must learn what happened, and I will move heaven and earth to ensure that an incident like July 13th does not happen again."

Secret Service Director Admits Failure to Protect Trump, Faces Resignation Calls

Khanna is not the only lawmaker who has called for Cheatle's resignation. Other members of Congress, including Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana and Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, have also raised concerns about the Secret Service's handling of the incident.

The Secret Service has faced intense scrutiny since the July 13th incident, which raised questions about the agency's ability to protect the nation's leaders. The incident also highlighted the potential for violence against political figures in the wake of the January 6th attack on the Capitol.

The Secret Service is currently conducting an internal review of its response to the July 13th incident. The agency is also working with the Department of Justice on a separate investigation into the incident.

The outcome of these investigations could have significant implications for the Secret Service and its leadership. It remains to be seen whether Cheatle will face further calls for her resignation or if she will remain in her position.