It’s hard to know what was a bigger surprise, the head of the U.S. Secret Service setting foot at the Republican National Convention (RNC) or the sight of senators chasing her down to get answers about the attempted assassination of GOP nominee Donald Trump. It was wild.
Advertisement
Despite the attempt on Trump’s life on Saturday in Butler, Pa., Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has been keeping a lower profile than one would expect from a boss whose agents nearly got the former president killed. In a shocking move, Cheatle, her boss, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and FBI Director Chris Wray were no-shows at a press conference that took place hours after the near-assassination of the former leader of the free world.
Read about this embarrassment in the story “Don’t Worry if You Missed FBI Presser on Trump Assassination Attempt. You Didn’t Miss a Thing.” There was no representative from the Secret Service at the presser.
At first, when the senators corralled the Secret Service chief on Wednesday evening, Cheatle listened to questions from Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), along with what appeared to be Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.). But then things took a turn and got even more interesting. When Cheatle put off the discussion for another time, she took off to go to a luxury box where she was entertaining people. The senators chased her up the stairs.
The American people deserve answers from the Secret Service. pic.twitter.com/PNFF11v00Q
— Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) July 18, 2024
Advertisement
“This was an assassination attempt! You owe the people answers!” Blackburn said loudly, hot on Cheatle’s heels. “You owe President Trump answers!” she said in a breathless and raised voice.
Related: Bungling of Trump Security Is Looking WORSE by the Second
Another senator yelled, “You’re stonewalling!” Still another said, “You hung up on us!” This was an apparent reference to Cheatle and FBI chief Chris Wray’s phone meeting with senators on Wednesday.
We want answers.
Why is the Secret Service director running away from accountability- literally.
Thank you @VoteMarsha and @SenJohnBarrasso for demanding that we get the truth.
What else is the Secret Service hiding? pic.twitter.com/NZ8f7joTdk
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 18, 2024
Cheatle bugged out early from the meeting I told you about this Wednesday afternoon in the story called “Bungling of Trump Security Is Looking WORSE by the Second.” Take your blood pressure meds before you read it.
The meeting came complete with ground rules that limited the number of questions senators were allowed to ask the two executive branch employees who are subject to House and Senate oversight on behalf of the American people.
Advertisement
Before the chase began, Cheatle implored the senators to take their discussion behind closed doors, telling them, “I don’t think this is the forum to have this discussion.” She explained why she needed to get up to the luxury suite to thank the “partners who have helped secure the Republican National Convention, and I would not want to take away from their evening.” Blackburn shot back, “What about the president’s life?”
Here’s the full footage, which ironically was captured as RNC speakers talked about national security.
🚨FULL VIDEO: Secret Service Director REFUSES to answer to the American people. pic.twitter.com/MPVOke5zhY
— Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) July 18, 2024
My favorite part is where Blackburn reminds the boss lady that the Secret Service knew there was a threat on the grounds an hour before and still let Trump take the stage. Note her answer. The Secret Service chief told them she was very, very busy with a cocktail party.
Barrasso told her they’d be accompanying her to get their answers. And as they walked and talked he angrily dressed her down. “No shame! No concern! You’re supposed to be protecting the president of the United States! You answer to us! You answer to us!”
Advertisement
For Our VIPS: Should the Right Copy the Left’s Tactics?
Both Barrasso and Blackburn have demanded her resignation.
Kimberly Cheatle cares more about protecting herself than protecting our nation’s Presidents.
Resign. https://t.co/azEi6arXkO
— Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) July 18, 2024
Cheatle issued a social media post saying she was very busy not doing her job to accommodate their requests.
Is she gone yet?
This entire RNC has been wild and spectacularly successful. If you were a VIP Member, you’d be treated to PJ Media’s deeper dives into the RNC, and you can comment on our live blogs, just like we do with all big events.
We’ve got a deal for you. Get 60% off the VIP Membership by using the promo code MAGA24 at this link. Hurry: this offer ends soon. Thanks for keeping the lights on and the fun flowing!
