House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) has subpoenaed Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.
The subpoena comes as the Secret Service initially “committed to [Cheatle’s] attendance,” although officials “appear to have intervened and [Cheatle’s] attendance is now in question,” according to the letter.
“The protective mission of the Secret Service is to ‘play a critical role in protecting US and visiting world leaders, safeguarding US elections through the protection of candidates and nominees, and ensuring the security of key facilities and major, national-level events.’ The assassination attempt of the former President and current Republican nominee for president represents a total failure of the agency’s core mission and demands Congressional oversight,” Comer wrote.
“Despite allowing you to speak with the media, both the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Secret Service have failed to provide assurances regarding your appearance at the Oversight Committee’s scheduled hearing, thereby necessitating the attached subpoena,” the letter adds.
Since the DHS intervened for Cheatle, there have been “no meaningful updates or information shared with the Committee,” the congressman noted. “The lack of transparency and failure to cooperate with the Committee on this pressing matter by both DHS and the Secret Service further calls into question [Cheatle’s] ability to lead the Secret Service and necessitates the attached subpoena compelling your appearance before the Oversight Committee.”
The committee previously requested Cheatle appear to testify on July 22.
