Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Penn., is calling for the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle in the wake of an assassination attempt against former President Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Boyle is the first Congressional Democrat to urge Cheatle to step down, citing “unacceptable operational failures” in the Secret Service’s handling of the incident.
The assassination attempt occurred on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, when gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from a rooftop during the rally. Trump survived the attack, but one rally spectator was killed while shielding his family, and several others, including Trump, were injured.
The Secret Service has come under intense scrutiny for allowing Crooks to gain access to the rooftop with a clear line of sight to Trump. Several Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, have also called for new leadership at the Secret Service.
Despite the calls for her resignation, Cheatle has stated that she has no plans to step down. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has expressed confidence in the Secret Service, which operates under DHS.
President Biden has ordered an independent review of security at the rally, and Cheatle is expected to testify before the House Oversight Committee on Monday. Republican lawmakers have vowed to conduct congressional investigations into the incident, demanding transparency and accountability from Cheatle.
The nation awaits answers as the investigation into the attempted assassination of President Trump continues, with Cheatle’s leadership of the Secret Service under intense scrutiny.
