UPDATED
On Monday, July 22, United States Secret Service Head Kimberly Cheatle appeared before Congress for a bipartisan hearing. If Cheatle was hoping Democrats would have her back, she was mistaken.
The road is pretty much clear for Democrats, Cheatle was a Biden appointee and he stepped down the day before. So the gloves came off when Cheatle arrived to testify before Congress about the attempt on former President Trump’s life.
Republican Congressman Jim Jordan asked Chealte some very good questions about how many times they denied Trump’s details of their extra security threats. Chealte noted that a “denial request does not equal a vulnerability.”
Jordan followed up with demanding a detailed account and Chealte couldn’t answer.
Jim Jordan puts Kimberly Cheatle in the spotlight after denying Trump additional Secret Service protection:
“How many times did you tell them no, and what did you tell them no to?” pic.twitter.com/HS9Hw4FhMq
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 22, 2024
It was Democrats, possibly trying to get anything negative about Biden out of the press, that launched Cheatle.
Congressman Jamie Raskin asked, “How can a 20 year old, with his father’s AR 15 assault weapon climb on to a roof with a direct 150 yard line of sight to the speaker’s podium without the Secret Service or local police stopping him?”
RASKIN: “How can a 20 year old, with his father’s AR 15 assault weapon climb on to a roof with a direct 150 yard line of sight to the speaker’s podium without the Secret Service or local police stopping him?” pic.twitter.com/1cJqdaG2nQ
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 22, 2024
When it was Democrat Rep. Lynch’s turn he asked about the range finder and all he could do was shake his head at Cheatle’s answer.
REP. LYNCH: “Did he have a range finder? That would certainly raise my suspicion.”
CHEATLE: “Yes he did .. a range finder is not a prohibited item..” pic.twitter.com/qMlnCsqt9u
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 22, 2024
However, it was Rep. Khanna that said Cheatle needs to resign citing that it has nothign to do with politics.
Rep. Khanna: When Reagan was shot, “Stewart Knight was in charge of the Secret Service. Do you know what he did afterwards?”
Cheatle: “He remained on duty.”
Khanna: “He resigned.” pic.twitter.com/kf9xnT1gQD
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 22, 2024
Folks, even AOC tore her a new one.
WOW: AOC to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle:
“This is about the safety of the most highly targeted and valued targets internationally and domestically in the United States of America. So, the idea that a report will be finalized in sixty days.. is simply not… pic.twitter.com/BrxDVbkBUC
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 22, 2024
Some of the strongest questioning, though, was this exchange between Democrat Rep. Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Cheatle. He made her watch a video and walked her through the timeline.
Folks, it was two and a half minutes of brutal questioning.
SAVAGE REP. MACE: “Would you like to use my five minutes to draft your resignation letter?” pic.twitter.com/4DZdbY5fGh
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 22, 2024
UPDATE: Multiple sources have reported that Cheatle has resigned.
