Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized the U.S. Secret Service for its handling of an attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump, calling for accountability within the federal bureaucracy.
Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized the U.S. Secret Service on Tuesday over its handling of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
In a post on X, DeSantis expressed frustration about what he referred to as a lack of accountability within the federal bureaucracy.
“The central feature of our nation’s entrenched bureaucratic class is never being held accountable for failures. The greatest security failure for the agency this century and nobody will be fired or resign?” DeSantis wrote as Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle eschewed calls to step down.
The assassination attempt occurred on July 13 at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, fired from a rooftop, killing one attendee and critically injuring two others before being shot by a Secret Service sniper. The FBI is leading an investigation into the incident.
Despite the incident, Cheatle has stated she will remain in her position.
“The Secret Service is tasked with the tremendous responsibility of protecting the current and former leaders of our democracy,” she said in a prepared statement issued on Monday. “It is a responsibility that I take incredibly seriously, and I am committed to fulfilling that mission.”
Other lawmakers, including Democrat Representative Jared Moskowitz, have also called for accountability measures to be implemented, as well as an investigative hearing.
“As Congress investigates the Trump rally shooting, there must be accountability for breakdowns in protocol,” the congressman said, adding that “America needs answers.”
Investigations and congressional hearings are underway to determine the causes of the security lapse. The Secret Service has also stated that its security plans for the upcoming Republican National Convention in Wisconsin are “strong and adaptable.”