Rep. Lee Presses Secret Service Director on Trump Assassination Attempt, Gun Safety in Oversight Committee Hearing

**For Immediate Release**

Vaibhav Vijay, Vaibhav.Vijay@mail.house.gov 

Kyla Gill, Kyla.Gill@mail.house.gov 

Rep. Lee Presses Secret Service Director on Trump Assassination Attempt, Gun Safety in Oversight Committee Hearing

Washington, DC – July 22, 2024 – Today in the House Oversight Committee, Congresswoman Summer Lee pressed the Director of the Secret Service Kimberly Cheatle for answers on the investigation into Trump’s assassination attempt and the ways that gun violence has affected their jobs. Rep. Lee pointed out that very little of the committee’s questions have been answered, and that the committee hearing “has not inspired much confidence.” She also demanded that we end the culture of violence that both targeted Trump last Saturday, and that takes too many of our children and community members’ lives. 

Watch the full remarks here:

Full Line of Questioning:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. 

I’d like to thank the Chair and Ranking Member for coming together and holding this hearing but I have to say I don’t think any of our concerns have been addressed today and what little we’ve learned has not inspired much confidence.

We cannot allow the violence we’re seeing in this country to become the norm, become commonplace. But that’s where we’re headed.  

On this occasion it was shockingly a former president and current political candidate at a rally that we all assume is the most secured place you could be, but the violence we saw last Saturday is the same culture of violence that makes too many kids and community members feel unsafe to play outside, go to class, or simply live their lives each day. 

Director Cheatle, I’d like to start by following up on some of my colleagues’ questions.  

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QUESTION #1

My colleagues Mr. Krishnamoorthi and Mr. Frost highlighted a number of points that showed the shooter presenting an active threat. So I’d like to ask you, Director Cheatle, to clarify what the protocol is for postponing or canceling an event based on a threat and how the events on July 13 didn’t meet those standards? 

Director Cheatle: So again, I think we’re talking about the distinction between suspicious behavior and a threat. And at the time that this individual was identified, they were displaying suspicious behavior. I’m still waiting for interviews from the FBI to determine what it was that identified that individual as suspicious and what those behaviors were to that question is suspicious behavior

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QUESTION #2

Does suspicious behavior vary between different events? For instance, if we have an event with a President, would there not be at heightened standard for suspicious behavior?

Director Cheatle: I think that there are a number of ways that someone could be identified as suspicious. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s at a rally or an indoor event or who the Protect he is. I think it’s up to law enforcement, or citizens to identify someone as suspicious. 

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QUESTION #3

According to the Associated Press, at least six different agencies including two sheriff’s offices, local police, state police, as well as fire and emergency rescue officials were involved in securing the rally in Butler.  

When there are so many teams that are collaborating, who takes the lead and how is that determined? 

Director Cheatle: Secret Service is responsible for the security of the site and the coordination.

SL: That was the case on July 13?

Director Cheatle: Correct.

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QUESTION #4

Changing gears a little bit, in 2024’s appropriations budget, the Secret Service was given a little over $3 billion which was about $78 million above what was requested. For 2025’s budget, you’ve requested yet another increase.  

How much of these funds goes toward training and improving protection procedures? 

Director Cheatle: I would have to get back to you on the training aspect of it. But about 30% of our budget is for protected protection, and facilities and training.

SL: The problem can’t be a lack of funding so what exactly do you see as the core problem that led to this failure? That led your agency to be outgunned by a 20 year-old, using his father’s gun and acting on his own, without a particularly sophisticated plan or technology? 

Director Cheatle: I think that we are waiting to determine exactly what those failures or failure was, so that we can make sure that the Secret Service is stronger after this.

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QUESTION #5

So we’ve heard a lot today that you can’t answer because it’s an ongoing investigation, that you’re still figuring out details, and that you won’t answer basic questions. 

You’ve said 60 days for the investigation but I simply don’t think that’s acceptable. Do you really plan to keep avoiding our questions and the American people’s questions for 60 days? 

Director Cheatle: I’m not avoiding questions, I want to make sure that I am providing factual and accurate information.

SL: Certainly, but is there no in between? Right between what is obviously a fact and what you can surmise from the details that you already have?

Director Cheatle: I assure you and I have a full and complete report of what took place on that day. I will certainly come back and make that available. 

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QUESTION #6

Studies indicate that the United States is experiencing increasing levels of political violence and tension. That’s the secret service see increasing political violence as a threat to its work? And if so how was the Secret Service adapting its strategies and protocols to account for increasing political political violence?

Director Cheatle: We are constantly evaluating the threats that we receive and monitoring that and we make adjustments on a daily basis to our protect ease based on what those threats are, and what actions we need to take.

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QUESTION #7

Yes or No: Do you believe that stricter controls on the availability of assault weapons would make it easier for the Secret Service to fulfill its mission of protecting public officials? 

Director Cheatle: I think the Secret Service is tasked with providing a safe environment, which is why we put into place a number of mitigation factors

SL: Certainly, but do assault weapons make it easier or harder for you to do your job.

Director Cheatle: I think that any weapon makes it difficult for us to do our job. 

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Since taking office in January 2023, Lee, who serves on the House Oversight Committee and Space, Science and Technology Committee, has delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $1.85 Billion brought back to Western PA, including over $580 million for infrastructure, over $110 million for affordable transit, over $500 million to keep clean energy manufacturing at home in Pennsylvania, and over $55 million on clean energy efforts in and around schools to help keep our kids and communities safe. These investments will help improve Western Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and transit, ensure cleaner air and drinking water, lower housing costs, fund research institutions, fuel clean manufacturing, fund STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, boost workforce development, and create thousands of good paying union jobs.  Lee and her team have also delivered casework and constituent services to over 2,300 constituents with issues ranging from helping our seniors and disabled community access Medicare and social security to helping folks secure housing and helping families with immigration support and passports.