Republican National Committee Chairwoman Lara Trump argued this week that the Secret Service is adequately protecting her father-in-law, former President Donald Trump, and said the agency’s director is the one who should be grilled.
When asked if she was confident police could still protect President Trump, despite a series of police missteps that nearly led to his assassination at a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, Lara Trump was unequivocal.
“Of course,” she said.
“I think the men and women of the United States Secret Service are some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met, Eric. [Trump] “I was in the Secret Service for four years. The people around me were amazing. They were completely, 100% professional in their work,” she continued.
But Lara Trump had harsh words for Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, saying she agreed with the Secret Service director’s own assessment that she was to blame.
“Clearly there were some mistakes and shortcomings, and I think it’s ultimately up to the director of the Secret Service to answer those questions.”
The assassination attempt has led to growing calls for Cheatle to resign, but Lara Trump herself has not been skeptical about whether Cheatle should resign.
Critics have pointed to the large number of petite female agents tasked with physically protecting the much larger former president, who stands at 6 feet 3 inches tall. They also noted that video of at least one agent struggling to holster his gun does not inspire trust.
Here is the latest on the assassination attempt against Donald Trump:
Cheatle is a champion for diversity and has pledged to make the department 30% female by 2030.
