Additional Coverage:
U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle is set to appear before the House Oversight Committee as Republican legislators escalate their probe into the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
Committee Chair, Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, issued a subpoena for Cheatle’s testimony on July 22nd.
The Department of Homeland Security proposed alternate dates for Cheatle’s testimony due to prior commitments, suggesting July 25th, 26th, or later. However, a committee spokesperson announced that the hearing would proceed as initially scheduled on July 22nd, emphasizing the public’s need for answers regarding the assassination attempt and perceived lapses by the Secret Service.
In response to the subpoena, the department expressed disappointment, noting ongoing briefings with Congress. Still, it confirmed Cheatle’s readiness to testify and reiterated their commitment to uncovering the full details of the incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, vowing to prevent such failures in the future.
The incident, which saw a gunman wound Trump and affect others at a political rally, has sparked widespread scrutiny of the Secret Service, leading to calls for Cheatale’s resignation from figures including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Johnson also announced plans for a special bipartisan task force to further investigate the shooting, complementing several ongoing congressional inquiries and a separate review ordered by President Biden undertaken by the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general.
Lawmakers have voiced dissatisfaction with the insights provided by the Secret Service in a recent briefing, highlighting ongoing concerns about security protocols.