Cheatle Faces Congressional Scrutiny Amid Trump Shooting Incident

Kimberly Cheatle, the US Secret Service’s 27th director and second female to hold the post, is set to testify before Congress on July 22. The hearing stems from the attempted assassination of former President Trump at a rally earlier this month.

Cheatle, who has served in the Secret Service since 1995, including a stint as PepsiCo’s global security director, faces criticism over the agency’s failure to prevent the shooting. The gunman, who fired eight shots from a nearby building, was neutralized by counter-sniper teams.

Cheatle has acknowledged the agency’s shortcomings but refused to resign. She emphasized the need for better coordination with local authorities and pledged to enhance security measures.

The hearing comes as Cheatle faces mounting pressure to address concerns over the Secret Service’s readiness and its efforts to diversify its workforce. Her testimony will likely focus on the incident’s details, security lapses, and her plans to prevent future attacks.