Alabama’s federal lawmakers are applauding the resignation of Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle after she was blasted during a Monday House Oversight Committee for her perceived security failures in the failed assassination of former President Donald Trump.
Lawmakers lambasted Cheatle during Monday’s hearing, many of whom expressed frustration for Cheatle’s seemingly furtive attitude towards answering questions.
Committee members on both sides of the political aisle equally criticized Cheatle for presiding over what Cheatle herself called the biggest security failures in decades.
According to officials, Trump was shot in the ear after 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks climbed a building nearly 140 yards away at a Trump rally in Butler, Pa., on July 13. Crooks fired multiple shots before being killed by Secret Service counter-snipers. Cheatle gave lackluster justifications for why the building was not secure, why law enforcement did not approach Crooks before the shooting and why Trump was permitted to stay on stage despite authorities being aware of Crooks’ suspicious behavior more than an hour before firing the shot.
Despite repeatedly stating during Monday’s hearing that she would not resign, Cheatle officially announced her resignation as Secret Service Director on Tuesday morning. Members of Alabama’s federal delegation immediately applauded the decision while still demanding answers for the security failures that nearly killed the former president.
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) called Cheatle’s resignation “the first step in accountability” while still pushing for additional transparency regarding the circumstances around the shooting.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigning is the first step in accountability for the failure to protect President Trump, but the American people still deserve real answers. I am committed to continuing this investigation until we uncover the facts.
— Dale W. Strong (@RepDaleStrong) July 23, 2024
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) said the move was past due.
The Secret Service failed on a no-fail mission under her leadership.
— Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) July 23, 2024
It was past time. https://t.co/Fx66pj71zN
U.S. Reps. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) and Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) gave terse but definitive reactions following the announcement.
Good. https://t.co/hZ3C6tBmL9
— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) July 23, 2024
Good. https://t.co/3C4krD7Xi7
— Rep. Jerry Carl (@RepJerryCarl) July 23, 2024
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) said he was “glad” Cheattle resigned, stating “she had no business leading the brave men and women of the Secret Service.”
I’m glad to hear this news. It was clear to anyone who listened to her testimony that she had no business leading the brave men and women of the Secret Service. https://t.co/CBRPXEdAhU
— Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) July 23, 2024
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) joined the others in applauding Cheattle’s departure, expressing that the resignation would not substitute for legitimate answers to the security failures on July 13.
One thing was made crystal clear after yesterday, Director Cheatle dropped the ball in protecting President Trump on July 13. That alone was worthy of her resignation, but we still need answers. We have to do everything we can to prevent something like this from happening again.
— Mike Rogers Campaign (@MikeRogersCamp) July 23, 2024
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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