The Artful Dodger
As I watched Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle’s testimony before Congress yesterday, I could not help but be reminded of a prominent figure from the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist: The Artful Dodger. His real name was Jack Dawkins, and he earned his name and reputation by his cunning ability to avoid prosecution from authorities and “dodge” their attempts to place blame on him.
Cheatle, however, was not quite as slick as Dawkins as she managed to raise the ire of legislators on both sides of the aisle with her repeated avoidance of direct questions coupled with her assistance that “the buck” stopped with her.
In this highly scrutinized congressional hearing on July 22, Director Cheatle faced intense questioning from lawmakers over the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer, sought clear answers regarding the security failures that led to the incident at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. Cheatle’s performance (and I’m being kind here) left much to be desired as she repeatedly sidestepped direct questions, fueling frustration and concern among committee members.
A Deflective Stance
Throughout the hearing, Cheatle avoided providing straightforward answers to critical questions about the Secret Service’s preparedness and response to the shooting. Despite admitting under oath that the agency “failed” in its duty to protect Trump, Cheatle’s testimony was marked by evasive responses and vague statements. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle expressed their dissatisfaction, highlighting the need for accountability and transparency within the Secret Service.
Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., demanded detailed explanations about whether the Trump campaign had requested additional security resources and if those requests were denied. Cheatle’s inability to address these concerns directly only heightened the sense of frustration among the committee members. Imagine being in that room and listening to hours and hours of this.
Criticism and Controversy
The hearing also brought to light underlying tensions regarding the Secret Service‘s operational priorities. Critics argue that Cheatle’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives may have come at the expense of the agency’s core mission of providing security. The House Oversight Committee is expected to investigate whether these DEI efforts have impacted the quality of personnel and overall effectiveness of the Secret Service. While we are talking DEI, check out Director Cheatle’s personal security detail.
Further compounding the controversy, some lawmakers raised concerns about potential racial bias in the agency’s threat assessment protocols. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, questioned whether the shooter, identified as a young white male, was not initially perceived as a significant threat due to racial biases within the agency. To me, this seemed like pure BS. All of the presidential assassins in US history had one thing in common: they were all white males. As a matter of fact, a black man has never attempted to assassinate a US President. I never really thought about that before yesterday. Two women made an attempt on the life of President Ford: Squeaky Fromme and, 17 days later, Sara Jane Moore.
The racial bias line of questioning underscored broader issues related to law enforcement practices and the need for comprehensive bias training (and perhaps a history lesson or two as well).
Broader Implications
Cheatle’s testimony has significant implications for the future of the Secret Service and its leadership. With ongoing investigations into the assassination attempt and increasing scrutiny of the agency’s operational priorities, there is a growing call for reforms to ensure the Secret Service can effectively fulfill its critical mission. Lawmakers emphasized the necessity of holding those responsible for security lapses accountable and implementing measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Obviously, we place enormous value on the lives of our Secret Service protectees. The US Secret Service’s budget in 2024 was over three billion dollars.
Resignation
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle announced her resignation on July 23, 2024, amid intense scrutiny following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Cheatle’s resignation came after a contentious House oversight committee hearing where she was criticized for significant security lapses during the July 13 attempt on former President Trump’s life. Lawmakers were particularly concerned about the failure to secure a nearby building’s roof and the delayed response of Secret Service snipers.
Pressure for her resignation mounted quickly, with House Speaker Mike Johnson and other bipartisan lawmakers demanding accountability. Cheatle ultimately decided to step down after receiving a bipartisan letter urging her resignation.
She penned her own letter to her Secret Service staff. She wrote:
“In light of recent events it is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision to step down as your Director.”
And with that, Cheatle has left the building.
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