First congressional Democrat calls for Secret Service director to resign
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USSS director Kimberly Cheatle looks on during a press conference at the Secret Service's Chicago Field Office on June 4. Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images
Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) called on Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle to "resign immediately" Saturday, citing "unacceptable operational failures" in the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Trump.
Why it matters: Boyle is the first Democrat in Congress to call for Cheatle's resignation, but he joins a chorus of Republicans who have called on her to step away from leading the agency.
What they're saying: "I have no confidence in the leadership of the United States Secret Service if Director Cheatle chooses to remain in her position," Boyle wrote in a statement shared to X.
- "Director Cheatle must resign immediately," he wrote in the post.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) called for Cheatle's resignation Wednesday and announced the formation of a bipartisan task force to investigate the shooting.
Zoom out: Cheatle told House lawmakers during a Wednesday briefing that her agency "failed" at a "no-fail mission" to keep the GOP nominee protected, saying she acknowledges "mistakes and gaps."
- The ire directed at Cheatle culminated during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Wednesday evening when a group of GOP lawmakers angrily confronted the director.
- Members have questioned why additional security measures weren't taken after intelligence concerning an Iranian plot to assassinate Trump was reportedly obtained.
The other side: A Secret Service spokesperson said Thursday that Cheatle "has no intentions" of stepping down.
- "She deeply respects members of Congress and is fiercely committed to transparency in leading the Secret Service through the internal investigation and strengthening the agency through lessons learned in these important internal and external reviews," the spokesperson added.
State of play: Cheatle is expected to testify before Congress on Monday.
- Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) told CNN that if Cheatle does not show up to the House Oversight Committee's Monday hearing, "She should either resign or be fired."
What's next: Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) have requested a classified briefing this week so members can receive additional information on the shooting.
- In the days following the incident, lawmakers questioned the lack of available information.
- The agency is facing a flurry of congressional probes into the circumstances surrounding the rally attack.
Go deeper: House launches "full investigation" into Trump rally shooting
