GOP lawmakers protested the abrupt end of phone calls regarding security failures that nearly led to the assassination of President Donald Trump by an armed gunman. These briefings were intended to inform House and Senate members about the incident, with FBI Director Christopher Ray and Secret Service chief Kimberly Cheatle providing information. However, lawmakers were displeased with the brevity and lack of thoroughness in the meetings.
This was a 100 percent cover-your-ass briefing,” Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) told Hill reporters after attending one such briefing on Wednesday. The head of the Secret Service needs to go,” he added. Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) also expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the briefing was “awful” and didn’t allow enough time for questions from legislators.
The two briefings were for House and Senate members, with FBI Director Christopher Ray and Secret Service chief Kimberly Cheatle providing information. The briefing went longer than the planned 30 minutes but only a few legislators were allowed to ask questions. The cut-off exasperated GOP lawmakers, as it was highly unusual for such a briefing to end after answering just four questions.
Never — in my 13 years in the Senate — have I seen a briefing end after answering only four questions.” – Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) on Twitter.
Politico described some of the little information provided to the elected politicians: On July 6, the shooter searched for information on where Trump would speak on July 13, as well as for information on where the Democratic National Convention would be held. His phone used encrypted platforms linked to Germany, New Zealand, and Belgium. The Bureau has sought information from 30 companies, and is waiting on responses from more than a dozen.
The briefing did not reduce the rising GOP criticism of Cheatle. Senate GOP leaders, such as Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), urged her resignation via Twitter.
Last week’s near-assassination of former President Trump was a grave attack on American democracy. The nation deserves answers and accountability. New leadership at the Secret Service would be an important step in that direction.” – Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Twitter.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) also urged the Secret Service chief to resign, and he called for her boss — Homeland Security Chief Alejandro Mayorkas — to face the cameras. Why have we heard so little from Secretary Mayorkas? Shouldn’t he be anxious to call out and address failures within his own department?” – Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) on Twitter.
Mayorkas is at the center of the scandal, as his Department of Homeland Security includes the Secret Service agency. So far, he is avoiding public questioning while trying to appoint his own panel of experts to review the agency’s failures.
Sen. Mike Lee described the administration’s obfuscation in a series of tweets: “This was an utterly disgraceful act by those whose job it is to protect our president.