WASHINGTON D.C. — In the wake of a recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other high-ranking Republicans are demanding the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. This call for resignation is based on what many in the party view as a critical security lapse that nearly resulted in a tragic outcome.

Johnson's Call for Resignation

“I’m going to call for resignation,” Johnson, R-La., declared during an appearance on Fox News at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. “Look, I think it’s inexcusable. … Her explanation to the media that there was a slant on the roof, so there was safety concern — it doesn’t wash. And I think she’s shown what her priorities are.” Johnson’s remarks reflect the growing frustration and demand for accountability within the GOP following the incident.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., also echoed Johnson's call for Cheatle's resignation. The urgency of these calls was emphasized just hours before top law enforcement officials briefed House and Senate lawmakers in separate, unclassified virtual sessions about the details of Saturday’s shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Details of the Incident and Law Enforcement Briefings

During the rally, a gunman identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks fired shots at Trump, wounding him in his right ear. One spectator was killed, and two others were seriously injured. Sources familiar with the briefing reported that officials informed senators that Crooks had scouted the rally site days in advance. Despite being identified as a suspicious person an hour before the shooting, he managed to carry out the attack.

FBI Director Christopher Wray, Deputy Director Paul Abbate, and Secret Service Deputy Director Ronald Rowe were among those who briefed the lawmakers. Cheatle participated in the Senate briefing. Following the briefing, Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso, R-Wyo., joined the call for Cheatle’s resignation, describing the briefing as a "cover-your-ass" session by the Secret Service. He criticized the agency for failing to act on the early identification of the shooter and for losing sight of him despite his suspicious behavior.

Congressional Actions and Investigations

In response to the perceived security lapses, House Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., issued a subpoena compelling Cheatle to testify at a public hearing scheduled for Monday. The hearing will focus on the security breach and the agency’s handling of the situation. Additionally, Johnson announced the formation of a special House task force to investigate the shooting and the security failures. This task force will aim to streamline multiple congressional investigations and will have subpoena authority.

Security Lapses and Public Statements

Lawmakers are particularly concerned about why the roof of a building within 150 yards of Trump was not secured by the Secret Service or local law enforcement. They also questioned why Secret Service snipers did not engage the shooter until after he had fired multiple shots and why more precautions were not taken once the shooter was identified as a suspicious person.

In an interview with ABC News, Cheatle stated she would not resign, asserting that “the buck stops with me. I am the director of the Secret Service.” She explained that while the Secret Service was responsible for securing the inner perimeter of the rally, local law enforcement was tasked with securing the area outside the rally, including the building accessed by Crooks. However, Cheatle's comments have faced skepticism and criticism for inconsistencies. She claimed local police were inside the building from which Crooks fired, but a Secret Service official later clarified that the local SWAT team was actually in another building within the same complex.

Communication and Coordination Concerns

This discrepancy raises questions about the level of planning and communication between the Secret Service and local law enforcement officials. It remains unclear whether the local team was positioned to effectively secure the outer perimeter or if alternative placements could have provided better oversight of the suspect’s activities. Johnson revealed that he had been in contact with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and other top officials soon after the shooting but found their initial responses unsatisfactory.

Conclusion and Future Steps

House Speaker Mike Johnson’s call for Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign underscores a significant demand for accountability following the near-fatal attack on former President Donald Trump. The incident has highlighted potential security failures and the need for a thorough investigation to ensure such lapses are not repeated. As the newly formed House task force begins its work, the findings and subsequent actions will be crucial in addressing the concerns raised by lawmakers and ensuring the safety of public officials at high-profile events. The coming days will see intense scrutiny of the Secret Service’s protocols and coordination efforts, with significant implications for the agency’s leadership and future operational strategies.