Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle opened her testimony to Congress with a frank admission that her agency "failed" in its mission to protect former President Trump. (Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., opened his questioning by asking whether a Secret Service agent had been on the roof the shooter used at any point on the day of the rally.
TOP REPUBLICAN WARNS OF 'RUDE AWAKENING' IF 'STONEWALLING' CONTINUES AS SECRET SERVICE FACES HEARING
Cheatle skirted the question, however, saying she could not offer specific details due to ongoing investigations. Comer then pressed about whether the building was within the security perimeter around Trump's rally, to which Cheatle said it was not.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Democrat from Maryland and ranking member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, during a hearing in Washington, D.C., on Monday, July 22, 2024. The Secret Service's embattled leader pledged cooperation with all investigations into the agency after the attempted assassination of former President Trump. (Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Cheatle will spend several hours fending off questions from lawmakers throughout Monday's hearing. Comer set the tone for the day with his own opening remarks, in which he called on the director to resign.
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"It is my firm belief, Director Cheatle, that you should resign. However, in complete defiance, Director Cheatle has maintained she will not tender her resignation," Comer said in his remarks. "Therefore, she will answer questions today from members of this committee seeking to provide clarity to the American people about how these events were allowed to transpire."
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/secret-service-director-opens-testimony-frank-admission-we-failed-wont-resign