A former U.S. Marshals task force member criticized Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle for her actions preceding the attempted assassination of former President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Terry Mikels called Cheatle’s failure to visit the scene where lives were lost “deplorable.” He pointed out that Cheatle did not even read a report detailing if the advance team had enough resources, showing negligence.
Mikels highlighted how easy it was for criminals to scope out the venue and climb onto a nearby roof, exposing a national security failure. He mentioned that such incidents open the door for individuals seeking fame to do something nefarious due to the lack of training and preparation in the security detail.
The former task force member emphasized that Cheatle must take responsibility for leading an agency tasked with protecting the nation’s leaders. He stressed the importance of accountability and holding Cheatle responsible for the security breach.
Cheatle’s inability to answer basic questions during the House Oversight Committee hearing raised concerns about the agency’s preparedness for upcoming events like the presidential election and Democratic National Convention. Mikels urged immediate action to ensure readiness for future security challenges.
Despite Cheatle’s vow to cooperate with investigations into the agency following the assassination attempt, questions remain unanswered about the Secret Service’s handling of security protocols. Requests for comments from the Secret Service regarding these issues were not returned.
In conclusion, Mikels reiterated the need for swift action to address the lapses in security and ensure the safety of national leaders and events. The public demands accountability and transparency from the Secret Service to prevent similar incidents in the future.
