Staff Reports
The recent House Oversight and Accountability hearing turned into a circus of failed accountability and lukewarm answers, much to the chagrin of those trying to get to the bottom of the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle found herself facing a bipartisan band of House representatives, all eager to uncover how on Earth a former president was put in harm’s way, yet all they got was a masterclass in evasion.
Cheatle’s performance throughout the proceedings could best be described as less than impressive. Rather than offering the necessary insight and openness expected from someone in her position, she instead resembled a deer caught in the headlights—only this deer had a particularly amusing habit of avoiding the hard questions. It’s a wonder she didn’t bring along a “disappearing ink” pen for added effect.
One of the most eyebrow-raising moments came when Missouri Republican Rep. Eric Burlison pressed Cheatle about her choice of communication devices. He discovered that she was using encrypted messaging apps on a personal device. One has to wonder: in a world where transparency is demanded from our leaders, why is the Secret Service boss using something like Signal to discuss critical safety matters? Those messages might as well have been sent via carrier pigeon for all the good they’ll do in uncovering the details of that fateful day.
The use of encrypted messaging by government employees raises significant concerns about accountability, particularly when the objective is to piece together how a potential assassination attempt could slip through the cracks. Indeed, how can any agency justify such secrecy when the stakes involve the safety of citizens and their leaders? Cheatle’s tactical sidestepping of accountability seemed to rattle even the most seasoned politicians present, with Rep. Burlison left visibly astounded at her shocking admission.
Western Journal: Cheatle Nailed: 'That's the Most Shocking Thing I've Heard Today' Says GOP Rep https://t.co/x7GdDU0wSe
— Ian Hansen 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHansenFeed) July 22, 2024
On an even more interesting note, one Democrat broke ranks with party lines to join the chorus calling for Cheatle’s resignation—Rep. Ro Khanna from California. In a rare moment of unity in an otherwise divided hearing, Khanna called out the lack of accountability in the Secret Service, reminding everyone of previous leadership standards when faced with a crisis. Khanna’s remarks could be seen as a cry for the old guard values that, apparently, have been tossed out like yesterday’s newspaper.
The backdrop of this hearing is a stark reminder of the precarious balance between liberty and security, especially under those in positions who should know better. With countless flaws evident in the protective measures surrounding the former President, one could only wonder if this hearing serves as a lesson to other government employees about scrutiny and responsibility—or if they’ll just keep using their encrypted apps to keep the public’s worries at bay, one undelivered answer at a time.
