Kimberly Cheatle, director of the U.S. Secret Service, has voiced support for an independent security investigation into a plot last week to assassinate former President Donald Trump.
“We look forward to cooperating with the independent security investigation into the U.S. Secret Service’s actions in connection with the attempted assassination of former President Trump in Butler on July 13,” Cheatle said in a press release Sunday. “We look forward to the committee investigating what happened and making recommendations to ensure this never happens again.”
Cheatle wrote that officials are “taking steps that we continue to review.” [their] “Internal Actions” and “Remain[s] We are committed to cooperating promptly and transparently with any other investigations, including those by Congress, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.”
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Director of the U.S. Secret Service Kimberly Cheatle watches the news conference. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)
“The United States Secret Service has an unfailing mission, and I will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of those I protect. I hope the United States Secret Service will emerge from this crisis even stronger.”
The independent investigation will consist of four people: Francis Townsend, a homeland security adviser to former President George W. Bush; Mark Phillips, a former federal judge who served in the Bush administration; former Maryland State Police Chief David Mitchell; and former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
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Republican candidate and former president Donald Trump is escorted away by the Secret Service after being shot in the ear in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Photo: Rebecca Droke/AFP via Getty Images)
The group will have 45 days to review Secret Service policies and procedures before and after the assassination attempt by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said experts could join the committee in the coming days.
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Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Sunday announced an independent investigation into the department’s actions.
“All Americans are concerned about the safety of our public servants,” committee members said in a joint statement. “We formed this bipartisan group to rapidly identify improvements that can be made to improve the Secret Service’s operations. We must all work together to ensure that an event like July 13 never happens again.”
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Cheatle is scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee on Monday.
