Hello everyone! Today, we delve into the intense scrutiny surrounding Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who is currently facing significant backlash and calls to step down following a near-assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Let’s unpack the details and understand the layers behind this unfolding drama.
Kimberly Cheatle, 53, has had a distinguished career with the Secret Service, serving 27 years starting from the Clinton administration. She was appointed as the director in August 2022 after a stint as senior director of global security at PepsiCo. However, her appointment is now under fire, with critics pointing to her close ties with First Lady Jill Biden as a potential reason for her securing the role. Sources indicate that Cheatle was favored by Jill Biden and her top advisor, Anthony Bernal, which influenced her selection.
Again, we ask, ‘Who is actually running the White House?’ because it seems to be becoming increasingly clear that it is not Joe Biden.
LESTER HOLT: “Is it acceptable that you have still not heard—at least publicly—from the Secret Service director?”
BIDEN: “Oh, I’ve heard from him!”
Kimberly Cheatle is The Secret Service Director. A woman. Appointed by Biden.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 16, 2024
This controversy has erupted following a serious security breach. Gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, managed to position himself on a roof about 130 yards from Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. He fired an AR-15-style rifle, wounding Trump and two others and killing a rally-goer. This incident has raised alarms about the effectiveness of Cheatle’s leadership and the overall security protocols of the Secret Service.
Disgraced Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle is now saying they didn’t put snipers on the roof where the shooter was b/c it was “sloped” and “not safe”
So then why were these snipers on this roof?
This lady keeps digging herself a deeper hole
RESIGN pic.twitter.com/HRf0PPEQdc
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) July 16, 2024
Cheatle is expected to brief Congress on Tuesday about the security failure and provide details on how Crooks could get so close to Trump. Additionally, she will appear before the House Oversight Committee in a public hearing next Monday. Republican members of Congress are particularly vocal in their criticism. Representative Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) expressed concern about Cheatle’s leadership, questioning whether her focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives might have impacted her ability to lead the Secret Service effectively.
On the other hand, some insiders praise Cheatle for her professionalism and competence. They argue that her long-standing service and her reputation within the Secret Service speak to her qualifications. Andrew Bates, a White House spokesman, defended Cheatle, emphasizing her deep experience and her reputation for excellence and integrity. Bates highlighted her extensive career and noted the trust President Biden and his family have in her judgment and counsel, stemming from her time on Biden’s security detail when he was vice president.
US Secret Service Director Blames ‘Sloped Roof’ for Security Failure
It turns out that the roof’s slope was a less than 10 degrees — hardly cause for concern.
This excuse alone PROVES Kimberly Cheatle’s incompetence. She must be fired immediately.
“That building in particular… pic.twitter.com/boMaUW7tB7
— The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) July 16, 2024
Anthony Bernal, a senior aide to the First Lady, is reportedly a significant influence in the administration. His role in Cheatle’s appointment has been a point of contention, with some accusing him of prioritizing DEI compliance over national security expertise. Bernal has faced allegations of bullying and harassment, adding another layer of complexity to this situation.
The exact process of Cheatle’s appointment remains somewhat unclear. Whether it was a decision made solely by the White House or involved a broader selection process within the Secret Service is not specified. It’s also uncertain how long Cheatle worked on Jill Biden’s detail, given that agents typically rotate assignments.
As this situation develops, all eyes are on the upcoming briefings and hearings, which will shed more light on the security lapses and Cheatle’s role in addressing them.