Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) has accused former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle of lying to Congress about the resources withheld from former President Donald Trump during a rally where an assassination attempt took place. This allegation stems from whistleblower testimony revealing that Secret Service agents were instructed not to request additional manpower for the event, contradicting Cheatle's claims to Congress.
During a recent appearance on Fox News' Jesse Watters Primetime, Hawley disclosed that whistleblowers informed him that Secret Service leadership directed agents to avoid requesting extra security resources, including counter-snipers, at the July rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
https://x.com/HawleyMO/status/1828600734197125202
According to these whistleblowers, agents were told that any such requests would be denied, creating a dangerous environment for the event.
This revelation raises significant concerns about the integrity of the Secret Service and the safety measures in place for high-profile events.
https://x.com/HawleyMO/status/1827015682967417167
The Butler rally, where a gunman opened fire and nearly resulted in the death of the former president. Hawley argued that had adequate resources been provided, the incident might have been prevented.
Despite assurances from new leadership, Hawley and other Republican senators remain unconvinced. They argue that immediate accountability is necessary to restore trust in the Secret Service. "Somebody’s gotta be fired," declared Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), echoing the sentiment that the agency’s handling of the Butler rally was a "mission failure" that warranted severe consequences.
The accusations against the Secret Service have sparked a broader discussion about the agency's preparedness and reliability in safeguarding former presidents. The fact that critical resources were allegedly withheld during a high-risk event raises alarming questions about the decisions being made at the highest levels of the agency.
As investigations continue, the focus will remain on whether the Secret Service leadership acted negligently or even maliciously in their duty to protect the former president. With whistleblowers continuing to come forward, the controversy surrounding the Butler rally is far from over, and the fallout could have lasting implications for the Secret Service and its leadership.
