During a recent appearance on Fox News Channel’s “Your World,” Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) voiced serious concerns about the performance of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. The Senator’s comments followed a closed-door briefing regarding the recent attempted assassination of former President Trump, a matter of paramount national security.
Hawley: Briefing with Secret Service Director ‘Did Not Go Well’ Video:
Senator Hawley criticized Director Cheatle’s preparedness, indicating that her performance during the briefing was far below the standard expected from someone in her critical position. “She was not well-prepared,” Hawley stated, pointing to significant gaps in her responses to essential questions. This critique raises questions about the efficacy and readiness of the Secret Service leadership in handling high-stakes situations.
Nobody in the Biden Admin ever takes responsibility for anything
Nobody in the Biden Admin ever gets fired
One thing’s for sure: Biden’s Secret Service Director should be gone pic.twitter.com/XrJFM0bfr1
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) July 18, 2024
Partial transcript as follows:
CAVUTO: How did it go?
HAWLEY: Badly.
I mean, let’s be honest, the Secret Service is out there and the FBI now doing these secret calls, these behind-the-scenes briefings, where, by the way, they don’t really answer questions. They limited — strictly limited the number of questions. The Secret Service director herself did not actually brief. She was present on the call, but didn’t do hardly any briefing.
When she did try to answer a question or two, it did not go well. She was not well-prepared. This needs to be done in public, bottom line. We need public hearings. We need a full and thorough investigation.
Neil, what we know about this is that there were 62 minutes, 62, between the time that the Secret Service identified the shooter as a person of interest, somebody acting suspiciously, and the time he started firing shots at the president.
I mean, what in the world is going on? We have got to find out.
CAVUTO: I misspoke. Of course, that briefing was yesterday. There are going to be many more to come. You want to hold the authorities accountable and find out what was behind their thinking.
But, to your point, Senator, she has indicated she’s not stepping down. She intends to stay there. And unless the president and/or Alejandro Mayorkas, her boss at Homeland Security, pushes her out, she’s there, right?
HAWLEY: Yes.
Nobody — here’s the pattern, Neil. Nobody in this administration is ever responsible, ever takes any responsibility for anything. Look at Afghanistan, 13 service members dead, hundreds, if not thousands of civilians left behind to the enemy. And what did Joe Biden do? Nothing. Who was fired? Nobody.
Now we have got a former president nearly assassinated. We have a good American shot to death at this rally, others in critical condition, and no one will take any responsibility. I mean, these people ought to be gone. Absolutely, the director ought to be gone. The whole top echelon ought to be gone.
But I tell you what. We’re going to get to the bottom of this and figure out what these people were doing. How did they allow this to happen? Why did they allow a good American to be killed? Why did they allow Trump to go on stage knowing they had a potential shooter? It’s outrageous.
Yet Secret Service did NOT use drones themselves on the day. The shooter was prepared. They were not https://t.co/knZpGjSrZN
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) July 19, 2024
Hawley’s remarks underscore a growing demand for transparency and accountability within federal security agencies. He called for Cheatle to appear publicly before the Senate Homeland Security Committee. This move is not just about answering questions but restoring confidence in an institution responsible for protecting the nation’s highest leaders. The importance of robust oversight cannot be understated, especially in light of recent events that have tested the resilience and preparedness of the Secret Service.
Hawley’s concerns reflect a broader issue of leadership and accountability within federal agencies. The Secret Service, entrusted with the safety of the President and other key figures, must exemplify preparedness and competence. Any deviation from these standards, especially in situations involving potential threats to national security, is unacceptable.
Hawley’s critique aligns with a conservative viewpoint that demands excellence and accountability from public officials. The expectation is clear: those tasked with safeguarding the nation’s leaders must be capable, ready, and above reproach. Director Cheatle’s performance, as described by Hawley, falls short of these essential qualities, warranting scrutiny and a reevaluation of her capability to lead the Secret Service effectively.
Hawley’s call for Cheatle to testify publicly before the Senate Homeland Security Committee is a step towards immediate action and accountability. This demand is not merely procedural but essential for addressing potential deficiencies within the Secret Service. Public testimony will provide an opportunity to scrutinize her preparedness and address any systemic issues that may have contributed to the perceived unpreparedness during the briefing.
The Senator’s position advocates for a robust and transparent review process that holds public officials accountable. This aligns with conservative principles of strong governance and accountability. It is imperative that those in leadership positions within national security agencies are not only qualified but also exhibit the highest level of readiness and competence at all times.
Restoring public confidence in the Secret Service requires more than just internal reviews and closed-door briefings. It demands transparency and a willingness to address shortcomings publicly. By calling for Cheatle to appear before the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Hawley is advocating for a process that can help rebuild trust in the agency. This approach is rooted in the conservative belief in transparent governance and accountability.
The Secret Service’s role is critical, and any indication of unpreparedness at the highest levels cannot be overlooked. Hawley’s demand for public accountability is a necessary step towards ensuring that the agency is led by individuals who can effectively protect the nation’s leaders.
Senator Josh Hawley’s critique of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle highlights a significant concern about leadership and preparedness within one of the nation’s most crucial security agencies.
Sponsors:
Huge Spring Sale Underway On MyPillow Products
Use Promo Code FLS At Checkout
Inflation Buster: Freedom From High-Cost Cell Plans (50% off first month with promo code: FLS)
Freedom From High-Cost Cell Plans Same Phones, Same Numbers, Same Coverage For About Half The Price.
Eric Thompson