Kimberly Cheatle, the ringmaster of the Secret Service, turned her 4-1/2 hour oversight hearing into a three-ring circus on Monday. Like watching a car crash in slow motion, her performance was an exercise in dodging responsibility. If her goal was to inspire confidence, she missed the mark by a country mile. Maybe two. Maybe a million.
Lawmakers grill Cheatle: a total cookout disaster.
In a grilling that could’ve cooked a steak, Cheatle sat stone-faced under the relentless questioning from both Democrats and Republicans. Imagine a deer caught in headlights, except this indignant and incompetent deer has a $3 billion budget and a mandate to protect the nation’s leaders.
Rep. Nancy Mace didn’t mince words, calling Cheatle “full of s***” during her questioning and accusing her of dishonesty. Cheatle was utterly unconvincing that she knows what she’s doing or has any real knowledge of what happened at the Trump rally – OR she just won’t tell any of us anything because she DID admit to knowing some things (she just didn’t disclose them).
“I have no idea” – The official motto of the day.
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Cheatle’s favorite phrases seemed to be “I have no idea” and “What I can say is…” – not exactly confidence-inspiring from the head of an agency tasked with preventing assassination attempts. She constantly dodged questions citing an ongoing investigation. She also suggested that Congress should direct their barrage of questions to the FBI for the answers they seek.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner told her she looked incompetent, which, considering the circumstances, might be the understatement of the year.
A Bipartisan smackdown.
When you get the progressive Squad Leader Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and conservative firebrand Rep. Andy Biggs to agree on something, you know it’s bad. But both sides of the aisle were united in their disbelief and disappointment over the director’s refusal to answer their questions – and the calls for Cheatle’s resignation rang out like an alarm during a jailbreak.
Nine days out and lightyears away from answers.
Congress couldn’t believe how unprepared Cheatle was at the hearing after having nine days to compile information about what happened at the Trump rally. Incredulously, the one thing we DID find out was that she hasn’t even been to the site of the rally in person yet. Seriously?! Is she too busy getting her nails done?
She did, however, promise some kind of preliminary report about the shooting in 60 days.That’s practically a lifetime in crisis management. No wonder lawmakers were fuming.
The Secret Service: protecting America’s leaders, except when they don’t.
Rep. Byron Donalds didn’t hold back, comparing Cheatle’s non-answers to trying to get the truth out of his kids, telling her he would get more answers from them than he was getting from her.
If this were a police interrogation, Cheatle would be the perp who lawyered up and shut down – except she’s supposed to be the one ensuring our leaders are safe – and assuring US that she’s able to do her job. Speaking of the law, she was definitely in contempt of congress several times – especially after admitting getting information from the FBI that she wasn’t sharing. Congress needs to do their job and hold her in contempt.
Security failures and shifting blame.
Cheatle’s claim that the Secret Service had ramped up security around Trump due to an Iranian threat fell flat when it was revealed that First Lady Jill Biden had more agents added to a Pittsburgh dinner than Trump had added to his rally – and Jill only had about 400 people at her event. The math just doesn’t add up – unless she had a certain directive from a certain Homeland Security Director (wink- wink).
“That’s bullsh*t” – The unofficial catchphrase of the hearing.
Rep. Nancy Mace’s blunt retort to Cheatle’s feeble explanations could serve as the hearing’s tagline. From failing to provide her opening statements in advance and not providing congress the documents they requested to her vague and evasive responses, Cheatle’s performance was a masterclass in bureaucratic dodging.
Chairman Comer had to remind her she was under subpoena, a not-so-gentle nudge that she was compelled to answer questions – a fact she seemed to keep forgetting.
Time to pack it up, director.
The consensus from this hearing? Kimberly Cheatle’s time at the helm of the Secret Service should come to an end – and soon: either from a resignation or getting the boot from old man Joe.
When a director can’t provide clear answers, dodges responsibility, and fails to inspire confidence, it’s time to find a new leader. As we navigate the stormy seas of an election year, safeguarding our nation’s assets is paramount. This becomes even more crucial when the candidates include a polarizing former president who half the country hates and Kamala Harris, who could become the first Black female presidential nominee, and potentially the first woman and first Black woman president.
Update – 10:30 a.m.
According to an NBC News report, Cheatle has stepped down and her official resignation statement will be forthcoming.
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