The director of the United States Secret Service has stated that the agency will cooperate with multiple congressional investigations that have been launched following the horrific assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.
According to Axios, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle released a statement on Monday saying that “we understand the importance of the independent review announced by President Biden yesterday and will participate fully.” She added that the agency “will also work with the appropriate Congressional committees on any oversight action.”
On Tuesday, members of the House Oversight Committee were briefed by members of the Secret Service about Saturday’s assassination attempt. A spokesman for the committee later gave a statement saying that “based on our conversations with the Secret Service, we expect Director Cheatle to appear for a hearing on Monday, July 22nd. More details will be announced soon.”
On Saturday, shortly after the stunning moment was caught on camera and broadcast to the world, Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) sent a letter to Cheatle demanding her appearance before the committee on July 22nd to address the multiple security failures that almost cost the former president his life that day.
The failed assassination attempt will also be investigated by both the House and Senate committees responsible for overseeing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the agency to which the Secret Service ultimately answers. Another probe has been launched by the House Intelligence Committee.
Director Cheatle also used her statement to praise the Secret Service agents who responded immediately after President Trump ducked for cover, pointing out that they moved “quickly during the incident, with our counter sniper team neutralizing the shooter and our agents implementing protective measures.”
“The Secret Service is tasked with the tremendous responsibility of protecting the current and former leaders of our democracy. It is a responsibility that I take incredibly seriously, and I am committed to fulfilling that mission,” she continued.
The assassination attempt took place during President Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a sniper narrowly missed the former president’s head and instead grazed his right ear, drawing blood. One rally attendee, 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, was killed shielding his daughters from gunfire, while two others – 57-year-old David Dutch and 74-year-old James Copenhaver – sustained serious injuries but are now in stable condition. The gunman was then killed by a Secret Service sniper.
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