During a Capitol Hill hearing, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle faced intense scrutiny from both Republicans and Democrats.
Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., criticized Cheatle, calling her a “DEI horror show.” The session was marked by bipartisan frustration as Cheatle responded to various questions regarding her conduct and the internal workings of the Secret Service.
Evasive Responses from the Director
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle was criticized for not providing direct answers during the hearing, often referring to the ongoing internal investigation.
This lack of clarity from Cheatle led to calls from both sides of the aisle for her resignation, signaling widespread dissatisfaction with her explanations and handling of the issues at hand.
Rep. Burchett’s Personal Reflections
Rep. Tim Burchett expressed his disappointment in Cheatle’s performance.
He stated, “Ma’am, you are a DEI horror story,” and “Ma’am, you have not achieved today. You let the American public down. If it was up to me you’d be gone.”
Defense of DEI
During the hearing, issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) were brought into the spotlight.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, defended DEI, stating, “The incident on July 13th has nothing to do with DEI,” challenging the narrative that DEI policies were to blame for the security lapses.
Racial Bias in Security
Rep. Jasmine Crockett also discussed racial biases in threat perception.
She specifically mentioned that “There usually is not a perception of a threat if it is a young white male, even if they are carrying a long gun,” highlighting concerns over unequal security measures based on race.
Accusations of Political Maneuvering
Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., accused Republicans of using the DEI debate to distract from gun safety measures.
She said, “Republicans are making the argument that hiring women and people of color hindered the response to the shooting,” calling such tactics “disgraceful” and “dangerously divisive.”
Acknowledging Women’s Role in the Secret Service
In her remarks, Rep. Ayanna Pressley emphasized the long-standing contribution of women to the Secret Service since 1971.
She criticized the scapegoating of these agents in the current political climate, highlighting the ongoing challenges they face.
Physical Requirements for Agents
The discussion took an unexpected turn when Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., questioned the physical criteria for agents.
He asked Director Cheatle if she considered how tall agents were when deciding on their assignments, specifically in relation to the former president’s detail.
Persistent Evasion Raises Tensions
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., expressed her dissatisfaction with Cheatle’s responses, which were seen as evasive. Greene highlighted the director’s failure to directly answer questions, contributing to the tense atmosphere.
“You’ve been sitting here for over three hours, the entire nation is demanding you resign,” Greene said, underlining the pressure Cheatle faced.
Confrontation Over Conspiracy Theories
In a heated exchange, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene questioned Director Cheatle about potential conspiracies to harm the former president, asking, “Was there a stand down order Ms.Cheatle? Was there a conspiracy to kill President Trump?”
Cheatle’s straightforward response was, “Absolutely not.”
Lack of Detailed Information
The hearing revealed gaps in detailed information as Cheatle struggled to provide a comprehensive timeline of events.
When pressed by Rep. Greene for a specific timeline, Cheatle admitted, “I have a timeline but not the specifics,” which drew chuckles from some attendees.
Legal Threats Intensify
The session culminated with Rep. Anna Paulina Luna expressing her outrage at Cheatle’s testimony, accusing her of perjury.
“I am completely disgusted by your performance today,” Luna said, stating her intention to submit Cheatle’s testimony for review for perjury charges, signaling potential legal repercussions for the director.
