The Executive Director of the Secret Service admitted a security failure: details and reaction
23 july 2024 в 04:13
Today, on Monday, July 22, the House Oversight Committee conducted an ongoing investigation and questioned Secret Service Director Kimberly Chitl about security failures that led to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
At her first hearing before Congress, Kim Chitl told lawmakers that the shooting at a pre-election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, was «the most significant operational failure in the Secret Service in decades» and fully took responsibility for the security breaches that day.
«The sacred mission of the Secret Service is to protect the leaders of our nation. On July 13, we failed», - Chitl said. «As the Director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security breaches. We are fully cooperating with the current investigations. We must find out what happened».
Chitl also told the committee that she will do everything possible to ensure that such a situation does not happen again.
«Our mission is not political. It is literally a matter of life and death, as the tragic events of July 13 remind us», - she said. «I have full confidence in the men and women of the Secret Service. They deserve our support in carrying out our protective mission».
Although she seemed to be moving towards accountability, she barely answered specific questions that were constantly asked of her, which angered many members of Congress.
Many members of Congress from the Republican Party and at least one Democrat called on Chitl to resign. However, Chitl stated that she has no intention of resigning, saying that she is «the best person to lead the Secret Service at this time».
Apart from calls for resignation, many were disappointed that such a situation was possible at all, given the reality they faced. Congressman Pat Fallon from Texas accused the Secret Service of being outsmarted by the shooter, who used an AR-style automatic rifle in the attack.
Congresswoman Nancy Mace from South Carolina accused Chitl and said she is «full of crap».
Under pressure, Chitl admitted that she did not know whether the shooter had placed the AR-style automatic rifle on the roof for some time before witnesses saw him climbing up the building wall to the roof and shooting — another potentially significant security failure.
«Did the shooter already place the weapon on the roof, or did the shooter carry it with him?» Republican Congressman Andy Biggs from Arizona asked Chitl.
«I do not have that information at this time», - Chitl replied.
«Well, when was the last check of that roof before the rally?» Biggs asked.
«I do not have that information at this time», - Chitl said.
After a few more questions, Biggs demanded an independent review of the shooting, saying that he is not getting the answers he would like from Chitl. «You should have come today prepared to give us answers».
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York told Chitl that her 60-day goal of reviewing rally planning was «unacceptable» 100 days before the elections and with candidates at risk due to international threats
At her first hearing before Congress, Kim Chitl told lawmakers that the shooting at a pre-election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, was «the most significant operational failure in the Secret Service in decades» and fully took responsibility for the security breaches that day.
«The sacred mission of the Secret Service is to protect the leaders of our nation. On July 13, we failed», - Chitl said. «As the Director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security breaches. We are fully cooperating with the current investigations. We must find out what happened».
Chitl also told the committee that she will do everything possible to ensure that such a situation does not happen again.
«Our mission is not political. It is literally a matter of life and death, as the tragic events of July 13 remind us», - she said. «I have full confidence in the men and women of the Secret Service. They deserve our support in carrying out our protective mission».
Although she seemed to be moving towards accountability, she barely answered specific questions that were constantly asked of her, which angered many members of Congress.
Many members of Congress from the Republican Party and at least one Democrat called on Chitl to resign. However, Chitl stated that she has no intention of resigning, saying that she is «the best person to lead the Secret Service at this time».
Apart from calls for resignation, many were disappointed that such a situation was possible at all, given the reality they faced. Congressman Pat Fallon from Texas accused the Secret Service of being outsmarted by the shooter, who used an AR-style automatic rifle in the attack.
Congresswoman Nancy Mace from South Carolina accused Chitl and said she is «full of crap».
Under pressure, Chitl admitted that she did not know whether the shooter had placed the AR-style automatic rifle on the roof for some time before witnesses saw him climbing up the building wall to the roof and shooting — another potentially significant security failure.
«Did the shooter already place the weapon on the roof, or did the shooter carry it with him?» Republican Congressman Andy Biggs from Arizona asked Chitl.
«I do not have that information at this time», - Chitl replied.
«Well, when was the last check of that roof before the rally?» Biggs asked.
«I do not have that information at this time», - Chitl said.
After a few more questions, Biggs demanded an independent review of the shooting, saying that he is not getting the answers he would like from Chitl. «You should have come today prepared to give us answers».
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York told Chitl that her 60-day goal of reviewing rally planning was «unacceptable» 100 days before the elections and with candidates at risk due to international threats
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
