Hawley Criticizes Secret Service Chief’s Poor Preparation At Briefing
Senator Josh Hawley expressed significant dissatisfaction with the Secret Service's recent security briefing, particularly with Director Kimberly Cheatle's preparedness.
Amidst security concerns following an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, Senator Hawley has called for public hearings and a thorough investigation, Breitbart reported.
During an appearance on FNC's "Your World," Senator Hawley criticized a recent security briefing that focused on the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. The FBI and the Secret Service cooperatively held the briefing "behind the scenes."
The Missouri senator noted that Director Cheatle was present during the briefing but did not actively lead the session, leading to his sharp criticism of her need to be more prepared as she attempted to field questions.
Hawley was particularly vocal about a significant delay during the incident. Identifying the shooter as a person of interest and the actual start of the shooting had a 62-minute gap. According to Hawley, this gap highlighted a severe lapse in security protocol.
Senator Calls for Transparency and Accountability
Hawley advocated for transparency through public hearings, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. He stressed the importance of a comprehensive investigation into the Secret Service's actions and the incident's circumstances.
Hawley expressed frustration over the current administration's perceived lack of accountability. He linked this issue to broader problems, such as those seen during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
According to Hawley, this pattern of irresponsibility has become a characteristic of the administration. He cited past incidents where he felt they did not enforce necessary accountability.
Debate Over Leadership and Responsibility Intensifies
During his televised remarks, Hawley highlighted that Director Cheatle does not intend to resign. He suggested that unless President Biden or Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas intervenes, Cheatle will likely remain in her position.
Hawley critiqued the administration's handling of crises in general, referencing the tragic outcomes of the Afghanistan withdrawal as a failure of leadership and accountability.
Hawley expressed concerns about the overall security preparations at the event where former President Trump was targeted. He questioned why the event proceeded without heightened security measures despite prior indications of a threat.
Urgent Need for Structural Changes in Security Protocols
"How did they allow this to happen? Why did they allow Trump to go on stage knowing they had a potential shooter?" Hawley asked poignantly during the discussion, underscoring his dismay at the oversight.
He argued that the severity of the incident, where a civilian was killed and others were critically injured, necessitated immediate and decisive action against the top echelons of the Secret Service.
Asserting a lack of decisive leadership, Hawley vowed to ensure a thorough investigation to uncover the lapses in security that led to the near-assassination of a former president and the harm to civilians.
Community and Political Reactions Echo Calls for Action
"How did they allow this to happen? Why did they allow Trump to go on stage knowing they had a potential shooter?" Hawley asked poignantly during the discussion, underscoring his dismay at the oversight.
He argued that the severity of the incident, where a civilian was killed and others were critically injured, necessitated immediate and decisive action against the top echelons of the Secret Service.
Asserting a lack of decisive leadership, Hawley vowed to ensure a thorough investigation to uncover the lapses in security that led to the near-assassination of a former president and the harm to civilians.
Conclusion: A Comprehensive Review Is Essential
To summarize, Senator Josh Hawley has criticized the Secret Service and FBI's handling of a critical security briefing following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. He highlighted a concerning delay in response time and criticized the lack of active participation and preparation by Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. Hawley's insistence on public hearings and a full investigation reflects a broader demand for transparency and accountability in government operations, particularly concerning national security.