Special Poll
The director of the U.S. Secret Service stated that her agency will comply with the numerous congressional investigations into Saturday’s assassination attempt against former President Trump.
Committees in both the House and Senate are examining what some lawmakers allege to be security failures that resulted in the ex-president being shot in the ear and a bystander being killed.
“We understand the importance of the independent review announced by President Biden yesterday and will participate fully,” Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said in a statement on Monday. “We will also work with the appropriate Congressional committees on any oversight action,” she added.
House Oversight Committee members will be briefed by the Secret Service on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the panel told Axios. “Based on our conversations with the Secret Service, we expect Director Cheatle to appear for a hearing on Monday, July 22. More details will be announced soon,” the spokesperson said.
Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) sent Cheatle a letter on Saturday asking her to appear on July 22. House and Senate panels that oversee the Department of Homeland Security, the Secret Service’s umbrella agency, are also investigating the shooting, as is the House Intelligence Committee. House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green (R-Tenn.) spoke with Cheatle by phone on Sunday about what he described as security shortcomings leading up to the shooting.
In her statement, Cheatle praised agency personnel for acting “quickly during the incident, with our counter sniper team neutralizing the shooter and our agents implementing protective measures.” “The Secret Service is tasked with the tremendous responsibility of protecting the current and former leaders of our democracy. It is a responsibility that I take incredibly seriously, and I am committed to fulfilling that mission,” she said.