Ex-FBI agent slams Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle over 'unacceptable' response to Donald Trump's assassination attempt

Netizens joined former FBI agent Nicole Parker in criticizing the Secret Service Director over security lapses at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania
UPDATED JUL 16, 2024
Former FBI agent Nicole Parker held US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle responsible for the security breach at Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania (Screengrab/Fox Business, Getty Images, secretservice.gov)
Former FBI agent Nicole Parker held US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle responsible for the security breach at Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania (Screengrab/Fox Business, Getty Images, secretservice.gov)

Warning: This article contains some graphic information and content that may trigger some readers. Discretion is advised.

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former FBI agent and Fox News contributor Nicole Parker joined Maria Bartiromo to discuss the handling of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler Pennsylvania by federal agents on Saturday, July 13.

Parker called out Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on Monday for the security breach under her watch, and stated that her response to the incident was "unacceptable."

BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 13: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said the shooter is dead after injuring former U.S. President Donald Trump, killing one audience member and injuring another in the shooting. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump was rushed offstage by Secret Service agents during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania (Getty Images)

Nicole Parker's take on federal agents responding to Trump's assassination attempt

"How this ever occurred is mind-boggling, and it's actually terrifying for America," Parker told Bartiromo of the assassination attempt on Trump. "If a 20-year-old can disrupt the political process in the United States and ignite this massive firestorm, look at our adversaries. Can you imagine? They're probably sitting back laughing. This is inexcusable. It is unacceptable, and how this occurred. It is a failure."

She went on to slam Director Cheatle and the Secret Service for their response afterward, stating, "Where was she or where was any representative from the United States Secret Service? The initial press conference… that is their site. They should have had a representative there."

"If it is not important enough for her to show her face in light of a… potential assassination. If there is a time for her to come forward, it is now, and it's just radio silence. It's unacceptable," she noted.

Parker also hinted at DEI playing a role in making the federal agencies inefficient, stating, "She (Cheatle) has this plan in place. It's very well known… by 2030, she wants 30% of… female staff at the Secret Service."

"Maria, why should that matter? We should be focused on protecting. That is the job of the Secret Service. Anything else is a distraction. Any of this diversity, equity, inclusion, any of this, it's a distraction from the true mission. And I saw the same exact thing at the FBI, unfortunately. I started to wonder, am I working for a social justice warrior club or am I working for the FBI?"



 

Internet calls for Kimberly Cheatle's resignation

Netizens over the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) appeared to be in agreement with Parker's sentiments. They accused Cheatle of being a "DEI hire" and called for her removal from office, as the following tweets demonstrate.

"It seems to me that *in another time* the head of secret service would've already resigned after Saturday's fiasco. What is she waiting for?" posted a person. [sic]



 

"That's what DEI hires do," jibed another.



 

"Needs to resign immediately," stated a user.



 

"Should be sacked with immediate effect and the snipers on the roof that failed to take shot should be suspended from active duty and investigated," commented another.



 

A user also said, "She had no business being USSS director."



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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