American Secret Service chief informs Trump shooting hearing ‘we failed’
Date
7/23/2024 7:42:37 AM
(MENAFN) In a hearing before Congress, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle described the attempted assassination of former President Donald trump as the most significant failure for the agency in decades, acknowledging that no one has yet been held accountable for the security lapse. Cheatle testified about the shooting that occurred during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania earlier this month, where a would-be assassin fired multiple shots at Trump. Although the former president narrowly escaped harm, the incident resulted in two injuries and one fatality.
Cheatle expressed profound regret, stating, “The Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders. On July 13, we failed.” She took full responsibility for the security failure, labeling it as the “most significant operational failure at the Secret Service in decades.” This acknowledgment of responsibility was notable, especially given that her predecessor resigned following the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, making Cheatle’s stance seem particularly unusual.
Despite her admission, Cheatle revealed under oath that no Secret Service employees have faced disciplinary actions or dismissal related to the Butler shooting. She promised to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation and vowed to implement necessary changes to prevent such incidents in the future. Cheatle expressed confidence in the Secret Service personnel, asserting that they deserve support in their protective role. She also stated, “I think that I am the best person to lead the Secret Service at this time,” reaffirming her commitment to addressing the agency’s challenges and shortcomings.
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