USSS Director Kimberly Cheatle admits her agency failed to protect Donald Trump but refuses to step down

BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA: Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle candidly acknowledged during her opening statement to Congress that her organization "failed" in its duty to safeguard former president Donald Trump.

Cheatle gave a testimony before the House Oversight Committee on Monday, July 22, and was grilled by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. She has been asked to step down by a number of Republican lawmakers, but Cheatle has so far refused.

Kimberly Cheatle says she takes full responsibility 'for any security lapse of our agency'

"The Secret Service's solemn mission is to protect our nation's leaders. On July 13, we failed," Cheatle said in her opening statement, according to Fox News. "As director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse of our agency. We are fully cooperating with ongoing investigations. We must learn what happened, and I will move heaven and earth to ensure that an incident like July 13th does not happen again," she added.

Kimberly Cheatle thinks 'she's the best person to lead USSS'

Cheatle has stated that she accepts full responsibility for what transpired but she has also noted that she will not step down, saying that she thinks she is currently the best candidate to lead the Secret Service.

Cheatle made it clear that nothing in her testimony should be interpreted as a criticism of the local law enforcement or other security partners the Secret Service collaborated with at former president Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Kimberly Chester refuses to provide any details due to ongoing investigation

Chairman James Comer, R-Ky, opened his questioning by asking whether a Secret Service agent had been on the roof the shooter used at any point on the day of the rally.

Cheatle circumvented the question, stating that investigations were still ongoing and she could not provide specifications. When Comer pressed further, Cheatle responded that the building was not inside the security perimeter surrounding Trump's rally. 

Kimberly Chester admits shooter Thomas Crooks was identified as a suspicious individual beforehand 

Subsequently, Cheatle verified to ranking committee member Representative Jamie Raskin, D-Md, that the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was recognized as a suspicious person prior to Trump's entrance.

When he questioned Cheatle about why Trump was permitted to take the stage in spite of the danger, the representative replied that although Crooks had been found to be suspicious, he was not found to pose a threat.

Chairman James Comer asks Kimberly Cheatle to step down

Cheatle will have to defend herself against questions from lawmakers for several hours during Monday's, July 22, hearing. Comer called on the director to step down with his own opening remarks, setting the tone for the day. 

"It is my firm belief, Director Cheatle, that you should resign. However, in complete defiance, Director Cheatle has maintained she will not tender her resignation," Comer said in his remarks. "Therefore, she will answer questions today from members of this committee seeking to provide clarity to the American people about how these events were allowed to transpire," he added.

Internet criticizes Kimberly Cheatle for not stepping down from her position 

Netizens berated the US Secret Service Director for not giving up her position despite admitting her failure. Trump was fortunate enough to escape a close call after the bullet fired by Crooks brushed off his right ear and left him visibly bloodied on stage. The gunman was shot dead by the snipers within a few seconds. 

One X user mocked, "She fits in PERFECTLY with the Biden administration." Another wrote, "If she wont resign then she needs to be fired!!! Over a week gone by and no one is accountable!!" "She won't be asked to resign. They're going to dig in like a tick on this one," remarked one while someone else wrote, "She’ll never resign and or be fired. She is protected by Obama." 

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.