In a testimony before the House of Representatives Oversight Committee on Monday, Cheatle took full responsibility for the security lapse. “We failed. As the director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse,” Cheatle stated.

New Delhi: The US Secret Service is under scrutiny after its director, Kimberly Cheatle, admitted that the agency failed to prevent an assassination attempt on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 13.

In a testimony before the House of Representatives Oversight Committee on Monday, Cheatle took full responsibility for the security lapse. “We failed. As the director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse,” Cheatle stated. This incident, she added, was “the most significant operational failure at the Secret Service in decades.”

Lapse in security measures

Cheatle addressed claims from Republicans that the Secret Service had not provided adequate resources to protect Trump. She explained that security for the former president had been increased well before the shooting due to evolving threats. “Our mission is not political. It is literally a matter of life and death,” she emphasized.

Watch the video here:

Director of Secret Service Kimberly Cheatle claims she takes “full responsibility” for the failure to protect President Donald Trump.

If she truly accepts responsibility for the significant security failures, she should resign. pic.twitter.com/2ObmS2SX7M

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 22, 2024

FBI Director Christopher Wray is scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Furthermore, House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to announce a bipartisan task force to oversee House investigations related to the incident.

House speaker calls for resignation

Despite Cheatle's admission and explanations, prominent Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, have called for her resignation. “It is my firm belief, Director Cheatle, that you should resign,” stated Republican House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer. He criticized the Secret Service for what he described as a significant failure of competence.

Shooting at rally in Pennsylvania

The shooting at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, left Trump wounded in the ear, killed one attendee, and injured another. The suspected shooter, 20-year-old nursing home aide Thomas Crooks, was killed by law enforcement. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear.

Security lapse in Trump' rally

Lawmakers are particularly incensed that the suspect was able to get within range of Trump due to security lapses. The House Judiciary Committee disclosed evidence suggesting the Secret Service was understaffed at Trump's rally, partly due to a rival campaign event with Jill Biden in Pittsburgh and a NATO summit in Washington days earlier.

Adding to the political turbulence, President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid on Sunday and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. Biden has committed to serving until the end of his term on January 20, 2025.