In her first public statement since the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said on Monday that the agency would “fully participate” in an ordered independent review. by President Joe Biden and also said the agency would work with Congress on “any oversight action.”
Cheatle, who was nominated by Biden in 2022, expressed confidence in the agency’s security plan for this week’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, and said changes have been made to Trump’s security detail since Saturday.
“The Secret Service is charged with the tremendous responsibility of protecting the current and former leaders of our democracy,” Cheatle said.
“It is a responsibility that I take extremely seriously and I am committed to fulfilling that mission,” she added.
Questions have swirled about the agency’s preparations after Saturday’s shooting, which injured the former president, killed one attendee and left two people seriously injured.
The gunman, identified by authorities as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was also killed by Secret Service agents at the scene.
Among the concerns and questions is how a sniper was able to gain access to the roof approximately 150 meters from the former president’s podium position at an outdoor rally.
Notably, the shooter’s location was outside the security perimeter, raising questions about both the size of the perimeter and the efforts to sweep and secure the American Glass Research building, and how the shooter was able to gain access to the roof.
