Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) has introduced impeachment articles against Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle after her contentious testimony regarding the failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

The House Oversight Committee was dissatisfied with Cheatle’s handling of the Pennsylvania rally incident and its aftermath, citing her refusal to provide adequate information during her testimony, and impeachment now appears to be on the table, as the Washington Examiner reports.

The impeachment articles were introduced on Monday, following Cheatle’s appearance before the House Oversight Committee.

The committee’s investigation pertains to an assassination attempt in which a 20-year-old shooter fired at the former president. This incident resulted in the death of one rally attendee and injuries to two others.

Failed Assassination Attempt on Trump

During her testimony, Cheatle described the incident as the most “significant operational failure” in decades. Her testimony, however, did not satisfy the committee members, who expressed their frustration and used expletives in response. The committee was particularly upset with Cheatle’s disclosures to the media over Congress, which they felt was inappropriate.

Steube highlighted these points in the impeachment articles, stating that Cheatle had neglected her duty to lead the Secret Service effectively. The articles also criticized the influence of diversity, equity, and inclusion quotas on the security lapses that occurred.

Bipartisan Agreement on Need for Resignation

The call for Cheatle’s resignation was not limited to one party. Chairman James Comer and ranking member Jamie Raskin both called for her to step down during the meeting and reiterated their demands in a follow-up letter. Raskin emphasized that there was no division between the parties regarding the operational failures that led to the disaster.

“I don’t want to add to the director’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, but I will be joining the chairman in calling for the resignation of the director, just because I think that this relationship is irretrievable at this point,” Raskin said.

Committee's Frustration with Testimony

Cheatle’s refusal to resign has added to the committee’s frustration. Despite taking full responsibility for the failures, her lack of substantive answers during the hearing led to further dissatisfaction among the committee members. Comer reminded Cheatle that she had been subpoenaed to provide answers and accused her of failing to fulfill that obligation.

“You were subpoenaed today to provide answers, and, ma’am, you did not do that,” Comer stated.

Investigation Into Security Lapses

House lawmakers are expected to vote on forming a bipartisan task force to investigate the shooting as early as Wednesday. This task force will delve deeper into the security lapses that allowed the assassination attempt to occur and seek to prevent future incidents.

The assassination attempt took place during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a shooter fired at Trump, causing chaos and panic among the attendees. The tragic event led to the death of one individual and injuries to two others, highlighting significant flaws in the security measures in place.

Reaction From Committee Members

The committee members’ reaction to Cheatle’s testimony was one of disbelief and anger. Raskin noted the unanimous frustration among both Republican and Democratic members regarding the incident’s handling. The committee’s primary concern is ensuring that such operational failures do not happen again.

Cheatle’s testimony and the subsequent impeachment articles have drawn significant attention to the Secret Service’s practices and the potential impact of internal policies on security effectiveness. The committee’s bipartisan approach underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for comprehensive changes within the Secret Service.

Future Steps and Potential Outcomes

As the impeachment process moves forward, Cheatle’s position remains precarious. The bipartisan task force’s findings will play a crucial role in determining the extent of the operational failures and the necessary steps to address them. The committee’s ultimate goal is to restore confidence in the Secret Service’s ability to safeguard its protectees effectively.

In conclusion, the introduction of impeachment articles against Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle marks a significant development following her unsatisfactory testimony regarding the failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

The bipartisan demand for her resignation and the formation of a task force to investigate the incident reflect the committee’s commitment to ensuring accountability and preventing future security lapses.

This story will continue to unfold as the House lawmakers vote on the task force and further steps are taken to address the issues within the Secret Service. The outcome of these efforts will be closely watched by both political parties and the public, who are eager for answers and solutions.