Current:Home > FinancePoinbank Exchange|Secret Service director says Trump assassination attempt was biggest agency ‘failure’ in decades -FundGuru
Poinbank Exchange|Secret Service director says Trump assassination attempt was biggest agency ‘failure’ in decades
Indexbit Exchange View
Date:2025-04-11 06:16:39
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Poinbank Exchangedirector of the Secret Service says the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump was the agency’s “most significant operational failure” in decades.
Director Kimberly Cheatle told lawmakers Monday during a congressional hearing: “On July 13, we failed.” Cheatle says she takes full responsibility for the agency’s missteps related to the attack at Trump’s Pennsylvania rally earlier this month.
Cheatle was testifing Monday before a congressional committee as calls mount for her to resign over security failures at a rally where a 20-year-old gunman attempted to assassinate the Republican former president.
The House Oversight Committee heard Cheatle’s first appearance before lawmakers since the July 13 Pennsylvania rally shooting that left one spectator dead. Trump was wounded in the ear and two other attendees were injured after Thomas Matthew Crooks climbed atop the roof of a nearby building and opened fire.
Lawmakers have been expressing anger over how the gunman could get so close to the Republican presidential nominee when he was supposed to be carefully guarded. The Secret Service has acknowledged it denied some requests by Trump’s campaign for increased security at his events in the years before the assassination attempt.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has called what happened a “failure” while several lawmakers have called on Cheatle to resign or for President Joe Biden to fire her. The Secret Service has said Cheatle does not intend to step down. So far, she retains the support of Biden, a Democrat, and Mayorkas.
Before the shooting, local law enforcement had noticed Crooks pacing around the edges of the rally, peering into the lens of a rangefinder toward the rooftops behind the stage where the president later stood, officials have told The Associated Press. An image of Crooks was circulated by officers stationed outside the security perimeter.
Witnesses later saw him climbing up the side of a squat manufacturing building that was within 135 meters (157 yards) from the stage. He then set up his AR-style rifle and lay on the rooftop, a detonator in his pocket to set off crude explosive devices that were stashed in his car parked nearby.
The attack on Trump was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It was the latest in a series of security lapses by the agency that has drawn investigations and public scrutiny over the years.
What to know about the 2024 Election
- Read the latest: Follow AP’s live coverage of this year’s election.
- Democracy: American democracy has overcome big stress tests since 2020. More challenges lie ahead in 2024.
- AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. Learn more.
- Stay informed. Keep your pulse on the news with breaking news email alerts. Sign up here.
Authorities have been hunting for clues into what motivated Crooks, but so far have not found any ideological bent that could help explain his actions. Investigators who searched his phone found photos of Trump, Biden and other senior government officials, and also found that he had looked up the dates for the Democratic National Conventional as well as Trump’s appearances. He also searched for information about major depressive order.
veryGood! (6536)
Related
- Bodycam footage shows high
- NCAA Tournament winners and losers: Kentucky's upset loss highlights awful day for SEC
- Multi-state manhunt underway for squatters accused of killing woman inside NYC apartment
- Deaths of dog walker, 83, and resident of a remote cabin possibly tied to escaped Idaho inmate
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Deaths of dog walker, 83, and resident of a remote cabin possibly tied to escaped Idaho inmate
- Compass agrees to pay $57.5 million, make policy changes to settle real estate commission lawsuits
- With all the recent headlines about panels and tires falling off planes, is flying safe?
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- Want to book a last-minute 2024 spring break trip? Experts share tips on saving money on travel
Ranking
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Elena Larrea, Social Media Influencer and Animal Activist, Dead at 31
- How do you play the Mega Millions? A guide on tickets, choosing numbers and odds to win
- March Madness games today: Everything to know about NCAA Tournament schedule on Friday
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Chrishell Stause & Paige DeSorbo Use These Teeth Whitening Strips: Save 35% During Amazon’s Big Sale
- The Smart Reusable Notebook That Shoppers Call Magic is Just $19 During Amazon's Big Spring Sale
- Texas medical panel won’t provide list of exceptions to abortion ban
Recommendation
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
Federal judge temporarily blocks plans for a power line in Mississippi River wildlife refuge
4 children, father killed in Jeannette, Pa house fire, mother, 2 other children rescued
Want to book a last-minute 2024 spring break trip? Experts share tips on saving money on travel
Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
Princess Kate cancer diagnosis: Read her full statement to the public
Kate Middleton Breaks Silence on Health Journey to Share Cancer Diagnosis
I'm Adding These 11 Kathy Hilton-Approved Deals to My Cart During the Amazon Big Spring Sale