Trump's Assassination Attempt Was 'Most Significant Failure' in Decades: Secret Service Chief

Washington: The Director of the Secret Service Kimberly Cheatle, on Monday, said the assassination attempt on former President of the USA Donald Trump was the 'most significant operational failure' in decades.

Cheatle Takes 'Full Responsibility'

Cheatle during a Congressional hearing told lawmakers, “On July 13, we failed." Cheatle said she took full responsibility for the agency's missteps related to the attack at Trump's Pennsylvania rally earlier this month.

Cheatle was testifying before a Congressional committee as calls mounted for her to resign over security failures at a rally where a 20-year-old gunman attempted to assassinate the Republican former president.

The House Oversight Committee heard Cheatle's first appearance before lawmakers since the July 13 Pennsylvania rally shooting that left one spectator dead. Trump was wounded in the ear and two other attendees were injured after Thomas Matthew Crooks climbed atop the roof of a nearby building and opened fire.

Cheatle To Step Down?

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas called what happened a “failure” while several lawmakers called on Cheatle to resign or for President Joe Biden to fire her. The Secret Service said Cheatle did not intend to step down. So far, she retains the support of Biden, a Democrat, and Mayorkas.

Lawmakers Express Anger on Gunman's Proximity To Trump

Lawmakers have been expressing anger over how the gunman could get so close to the Republican presidential nominee when he was supposed to be carefully guarded. The Secret Service acknowledged it denied some requests by Trump's campaign for increased security at his events in the years before the assassination attempt.

Law Enforcement Noticed Crooks Pacing Around Edges of Rally

Before the shooting, local law enforcement had noticed Crooks pacing around the edges of the rally, peering into the lens of a rangefinder toward the rooftops behind the stage where the president later stood, officials have told The Associated Press. An image of Crooks was circulated by officers stationed outside the security perimeter.

Witness Saw Crooks Climbing Up

Witnesses later saw him climbing up the side of a squat manufacturing building that was within 135 meters (157 yards) from the stage. He then set up his AR-style rifle and lay on the rooftop, a detonator in his pocket to set off crude explosive devices that were stashed in his car parked nearby.

Attack on Trump Most Serious Attempt

The attack on Trump was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It was the latest in a series of security lapses by the agency that has drawn investigations and public scrutiny over the years.

What Motivated Crooks?

Authorities have been hunting for clues into what motivated Crooks, but so far have not found any ideological bent that could help explain his actions. Investigators who searched his phone found photos of Trump, Biden and other senior government officials, and also found that he had looked up the dates for the Democratic National Conventional as well as Trump's appearances. He also searched for information about major depressive disorder. (with AP inputs)