As demands for accountability mount, a top House Republican subpoenaed Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on Wednesday, compelling her to testify next week on the security failure underlying the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a weekend rally in Pennsylvania.
Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY), who previously scheduled a hearing with Cheatle for Monday, said in a cover letter that Homeland Security Department (DHS) officials “appear to have intervened and your attendance is now in question” — necessitating a subpoena — amid a lack of “meaningful” follow-ups.
“The lack of transparency and failure to cooperate with the Committee on this pressing matter by both DHS and the Secret Service further calls into question your ability to lead the Secret Service and necessitates the attached subpoena compelling your appearance before the Oversight Committee,” Comer wrote.
A panel spokesperson later said Cheatle agreed to comply with Comer’s subpoena and the hearing would take place as scheduled on Monday, adding, “Americans demand and deserve answers from the Director about the attempted assassination of President Trump and the Secret Service’s egregious failures.
Questions have been raised about how a shooter, identified as a 20-year-old Pennsylvania man named Thomas Matthew Crooks, managed to get onto a nearby rooftop and begin shooting roughly 150 yards away from the stage in Butler, Pennsylvania, with an AR-style rifle before the Secret Service could stop him.
A bullet ripped through Trump’s right ear, causing blood to pour down his face. The shooter also killed one rally-goer and injured two others. A Secret Service sniper reportedly shot and killed the gunman from another building while other personnel rushed to protect Trump and escort him off the stage.
Comer’s panel announced earlier this week that a public hearing with Cheatle would take place on Capitol Hill at 10 a.m. ET on Monday, giving lawmakers and the American people a chance to hear first-hand about the shooting and just what happened when it came to planning to secure the venue of the rally.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), another member of the Oversight Committee, said on X, “I agree with sending a subpoena to USSS director Cheatle. A former president was almost assassinated. She must attend the Oversight hearing on Monday so we can get to the bottom of the security failures that day.”
An Oversight Committee spokeswoman told reporters on Tuesday the Secret Service also had agreed to brief the panel, but “Department of Homeland Security took over communications with the Committee and has since refused to confirm a briefing time.” A House-wide briefing is now expected on Wednesday.
Earlier this week, Cheatle said the Secret Service would “participate fully” in an independent review announced by President Joe Biden. She vowed her agency would “work with the appropriate Congressional committees on any oversight action.” Cheatle also said she would not resign, as pressure grows from the GOP.
The FBI is leading an investigation into the shooting as “potential domestic terrorism,” with the agency saying it has gained access to the shooter’s phone, conducted a search of his home and vehicle, and conducted dozens of interviews. And the DHS inspector general is looking into the Secret Service over the shooting.
House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green (R-TN) has invitedPennsylvania state and local police to appear for a hearing “in the coming days.” He also is demanding testimony and documents from Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and Cheatle.
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