Trump assassination attempt was 'most significant failure' in decades, Secret Service boss admits

The director of the US Secret Service says the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was the “most significant operational failure” in decades.

Kimberly Cheatle told the House of Representatives Oversight and Accountability Committee she took “full responsibility for any security lapse”.

The shooting at an outdoor campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, wounded Mr Trump’s right ear, killed one audience member and injured another on 13 July.

Latest as Secret Service chief grilled over Trump shooting

Thomas Crooks, the 20-year-old nursing home aide suspected of the shooting, was killed by law enforcement staff.

Members of the public had pointed out a suspect to law enforcement officers before the shooting – and Ms Cheatle admitted the agency was told about a suspicious person “between two and five times”.

The fact the suspect was able to get within range of Mr Trump on the rooftop of a nearby building has angered politicians who blame security lapses in the Secret Service.

Ms Cheatle admitted the roof had been identified as a potential vulnerability days before the rally and she said she apologised to Trump in a phone call after the incident.

“We failed. As the director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse,” Ms Cheatle said in her testimony before the committee.

“The assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump on 13 July is the most significant operational failure at the Secret Service in decades.”

In the face of Republican claims the agency denied resources to protect Mr Trump, she said security for the former president had grown ahead of the shooting.

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“The level of security provided for the former president increased well before the campaign and has been steadily increasing as threats evolve,” she said.

“Our mission is not political. It is literally a matter of life and death.”

She wouldn’t answer specific questions about the day’s security plan from Republicans or Democrats, adding the matter was being investigated internally.

Before the shooting, local officers had noticed Crooks pacing around the edges of the rally, officials have told The Associated Press.

An image of Crooks was even circulated by officers stationed outside the security perimeter.

Ms Cheatle admitted he was identified as suspicious – but a threat was not confirmed.

“If the detail had been passed, information that there was a threat, the detail would never have brought the former president on to the stage,” she added.

Asked why there were no agents on the roof where the gunman was located or if the agency used drones to monitor the area, Ms Cheatle said she’s waiting for the investigation, prompting groans from the committee.

“Director Cheatle, because Donald Trump is alive, and thank God he is, you look incompetent,” said Republican Mike Turner.

“If he were killed you would look culpable.”

Republicans and Democrats have both called on her to resign, but Ms Cheatle has so far resisted.

“I think that I am the best person to lead the Secret Service at this time,” she said to the committee, after a spokesperson for the agency said she would continue in her role.

“Continuity of operations is paramount during a critical incident and US Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle has no intentions to step down,” said spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi.

“She deeply respects members of Congress and is fiercely committed to transparency in leading the Secret Service through the internal investigation and strengthening the agency through lessons learned in these important internal and external reviews.”

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