‘What Are You Covering Up?’: Swing State Republican Slams Secret Service Director

A Michigan Republican grilled Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on Monday, asking her what she was “covering up” in the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

Representative Lisa McClain (R-MI) demanded answers from Cheatle, who appeared reluctant to give direct answers to many of the irate lawmakers during Monday’s House Oversight Committee hearing.

“I’m asking you an answer to the question,” McClain told Cheatle. “If you’re supposed to be in charge, if the buck stops with you, how come you can’t share the answers? What are you covering up? What are you hiding, my friend?”

Rep Lisa McClain EVISCERATES Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle

"What are you Covering Up!?"

Demand Cheatle's Resignation ➡️ https://t.co/mqXlSHshsq pic.twitter.com/BLGqPx81X5

— ACT For America (@ACTforAmerica) July 22, 2024

“I’m not covering anything up,” Cheatle responded.

“Then why can’t you answer a simple question,” McClain retorted.

Cheatle referenced the FBI’s ongoing criminal investigation into the assassination attempt during Trump’s July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Trump narrowly missed being killed by a bullet to the head at Saturday’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A bullet grazed the former president’s right ear, and he ducked behind a podium before being whisked away by Secret Service agents. He raised his fist and shouted, “Fight!” as he exited the stage.

Law enforcement returned fire immediately, killing the shooter. One rally-goer was killed, and two others were injured.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP

McClain asked Cheatle whether the FBI had told her how many explosives were in the gunman’s car. Cheatle responded in the affirmative.

“So you know the answer to that question that my colleagues have asked you, but again you refuse to give us the answers,” McClain said.

“You’re playing, this wasn’t me. Well, I submit to you, if you can’t — and it’s not a can’t, it’s a won’t. It’s not a can’t, it’s not an ‘I don’t know,’ it’s a ‘I choose not to answer the question,'” McClain continued. “Well, let me tell you, Miss Cheatle, if you’re going to lead, you need to lead. If you want to be in charge, then answer the question or step aside and have someone with the courage and the guts to answer to the American people the questions that they deserve answers to.”

Cheatle has defiantly refused to resign despite calls from both sides of the aisle demanding she do so in the wake of the assassination attempt.

Other lawmakers peppered the Secret Service director with more questions, including whether the agency had turned down requests from Trump’s security detail for more manpower.

Democrats on the panel criticized Cheatle as well. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) said a report in 60 days was “not acceptable,” and Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) noted that the Secret Service director at the time former President Ronald Reagan was shot resigned after that assassination attempt.