Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) called on U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign following an assassination attempt on former President Trump, making him the first Democratic congressman to do so.
“I am calling on Director Cheatle to resign immediately following last weekend’s shooting of a presidential candidate in western Pennsylvania,” Boyle said. said in a statement posted for X Saturday. “The evidence that has emerged has shown unacceptable operational failures. I have no confidence in the leadership of the United States Secret Service if Director Cheatle decides to remain in her position.”
Trump was hit by a bullet in the ear in an assassination attempt at one of his rallies in Butler, Pennsylvania, last weekend. He recently wore a bandage on his ear after the shooting.
The Secret Service faced scrutiny following the shooting, with many questioning how the shooter gained access to a rooftop that had a clear line of sight to Trump.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) called for Cheatle’s resignation on Wednesday and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called for new leadership at the agency the same day.
“The near assassination of former President Trump last week was a serious attack on American democracy,” McConnell said in a post on X. The nation deserves answers and accountability. New leadership at the Secret Service would be an important step in that direction.”
Cheatle said in an interview earlier this week that he would not resign from his position.
“I intend to stay,” she said.
The Hill contacted the Secret Service.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
