House Speaker Mike Johnson called for the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on Wednesday following the attempted assassination incident. Johnson criticized Cheatle's handling of the attack, labeling it as 'inexcusable.' He expressed his dissatisfaction with Cheatle's explanation regarding the absence of agents on the roof of the building where the shooter targeted, stating that her reasoning 'doesn't wash.'
The call for Cheatle's resignation comes in the wake of the attempted assassination, which raised concerns about the security protocols and preparedness of the Secret Service. Johnson's strong stance reflects the growing pressure on Cheatle to be held accountable for the lapses in security that allowed the attack to occur.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the effectiveness of the Secret Service in protecting high-profile individuals and securing sensitive locations. Critics argue that the agency's failure to prevent the assassination attempt highlights systemic issues that need to be addressed promptly.
In response to Johnson's call for resignation, Cheatle has yet to publicly comment on the matter. The demand for accountability within the Secret Service is likely to intensify as more details about the security failures leading up to the attack are revealed.
As the controversy surrounding the attempted assassination continues to unfold, the focus remains on ensuring that such security breaches are not repeated in the future. Calls for reforms and increased oversight of the Secret Service are expected to gain momentum as lawmakers and the public demand answers and solutions to prevent similar incidents from happening again.