Things got a little crazy when Secret Service Director Kimberly Chettle appeared at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday.
Chatel has been criticized for her agency’s mishandling of last weekend’s assassination attempt that nearly claimed the life of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, and was sharply rebuked by senators demanding answers at the conference.
The most prominent people to take on Ms. Chettle are Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.). Barrasso is the third-ranking Senate Republican.
“You left him within an inch of his life,” Barrasso scolded aggressively. “So either resign or give a full explanation.”
“This was an assassination attempt. You owe the people an answer. You owe President Trump an answer,” Blackburn added.
Chatel remained stoic throughout the confrontation, refusing to answer questions or even acknowledge those seeking some explanation for the way her agency handled the incident.
In other words, she behaved like a typical bureaucrat.
The American people deserve answers from the Secret Service. pic.twitter.com/PNFF11v00Q
— Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) July 18, 2024
RELATED: Secret Service noticed suspected Trump gunman hours before he fired first shot, then lost him when he went to get rifle: report
Secret Service Director Under Attack
The rather extraordinary scene unfolding at the Republican National Committee showed that decorum was thrown to the winds in the need for immediate answers after the Secret Service failed to prevent the near-murder of a leading presidential candidate. Despite having multiple opportunities to do so over a long period of time, they were unable to do so.
Political Insider reported on Wednesday a series of spectacularly incompetent failures. They include:
- Lack of staffing.
- Although the gunman was spotted with a rangefinder three hours before the incident, he could not be tracked.
- He was seen crawling at the scene 40 minutes before the shooting and pictures of him were circulated but failed to stop him again.
- Once again he failed to stop him as he climbed and positioned himself on a slightly sloping roof.
In a reasonable world, the Secret Service Director would at least be fired immediately. But we live in the era of President Biden, and no one is being held accountable. No matter the cost, no matter the potential life or actually lost.
RELATED STORY: Secret Service ends cocaine probe without suspects – admitting drugs were found at White House three times
‘She can’t hide’
In a separate video of her conversation with Barrasso, Blackburn said the Senate is not done seeking answers and she personally will not rest until they get to the bottom of the many failures related to Trump’s assassination attempt.
“She (Cheatle) wouldn’t answer our questions. She wanted to say it wasn’t the time or the place,” Blackburn said. “But I have a message for her: She can run, but she can’t hide.”
However, as is always the case with Republicans, tough rhetoric is rarely backed up by tough action.
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin posted a comment on X about the Secret Service Senate briefing that bordered on laughable, as he noted that senators were only “allowed” to ask four questions.
The U.S. Navy Senate briefing was incredibly sparse.
Only 4 questions are allowed.
The rest of us should submit questions. I already have it. Awaiting reply.
Not holding your breath. pic.twitter.com/PJUpCYXOPz
— Senator Ron Johnson (@SenRonJohnson) July 17, 2024
Senator, who is responsible for whom here? You pull them over and ask questions until they can barely speak. Those under investigation do not give orders. you How the Senate briefing goes.
On Wednesday, Senate lawmakers held a harshly worded…call following a four-question briefing. Barrasso described the call as a “100% CYA briefing.”
Trump injured after botched security detail at Pennsylvania rally, critically Injuring two rallygoers and killing another, it was so tragic that critics wondered whether something more sinister was at play.
Unless Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle provides answers and a rational explanation for her agency’s failure to stop would-be assassins, things will only get scarier.
At this time, there does not appear to be any possible explanation to justify what happened.
