Both GOP & Dem Congressional Agree After Hearing
Today, we're diving into a high-stakes political drama that's been unfolding on Capitol Hill. The spotlight is on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who is facing intense scrutiny and growing calls for her resignation following the near-assassination of former President Donald Trump.
The House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing on Monday was nothing short of explosive. Ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) joined the chorus of voices demanding Cheatle's resignation.
"I don’t want to add to the director’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, but I will be joining the chairman in calling for the resignation of the director, just because I think that this relationship is irretrievable at this point,” Raskin stated. He emphasized that Cheatle has lost the confidence of Congress at a crucial moment in the nation's history.
Raskin, along with Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.), penned a joint letter to Cheatle urging her to step down. They criticized her for failing to provide answers about the operational failure that nearly cost Trump his life and for not reassuring the public that the Secret Service had learned from its mistakes.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) also demanded Cheatle's resignation during the hearing, echoing sentiments first expressed by Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.). Khanna made it clear, “If you have an assassination attempt on a president, a former president or a candidate, you need to resign.”
The hearing's tension peaked when Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) called out Cheatle for her lack of transparency and alleged dishonesty. Mace was particularly incensed by Cheatle's response to how her opening statement for the hearing was leaked to the media hours before it was shared with the committee. When Cheatle claimed ignorance, Mace retorted, "Well, that’s bulls---."
Mace's frustration continued as she grilled Cheatle on whether she had provided all requested audio and video recordings related to the incident. Cheatle's evasive responses only fueled Mace's anger. "You're full of s-- today. You're just being completely dishonest," Mace accused, underscoring the sentiment of many lawmakers who feel Cheatle is not taking the situation seriously.
Outside the hearing room, Mace told Fox News, "It's almost like she's unafraid to get fired, which is the problem." She criticized Cheatle for her inability to answer basic questions about the Secret Service’s response during the incident, describing the situation as "complete and total bulls---."
Adding to the controversy is the backdrop of Cheatle's appointment. Critics argue that her hiring was influenced by the Biden administration’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), questioning whether she was chosen for her competence. This criticism highlights broader concerns about hiring practices that prioritize diversity over qualifications.