Dan Bongino, the commentator and talk show host who is a former Secret Service agent, says Saturday night’s shooting at President Donald Trump’s rally, was a “catastrophic failure” of the Secret Service.
“This is an obviously catastrophic failure and NO excuses should be made, or even attempted,” Bongino posted on X. “The failures are profound and questions must be answered about ground surveillance, air surveillance, post-stander support, and counter-sniper advance work and response. We have ONE job, and we came within inches of a deadly failure today. An uneventful failure is NOT a success.”
Bongino, who also has worked as a New York City police officer, said he was in touch with former Secret Service colleagues.
Bongino called on Kimberly Cheatle, director of the Secret Service, to resign.
House Speaker Mike Johnson posted on X on Saturday night that the House would launch a “FULL INVESTIGATION” of the Trump shooting. He added that Cheatle and other officials would appear for committee hearings “ASAP.”
House Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., announced Saturday evening: “I have already contacted the Secret Service for a briefing and am also calling on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear for a hearing.”
Elon Musk also posted on X that Secret Service leadership should resign.
Cheatle was appointed by President Joe Biden to be director of the Secret Service in 2022. Her 25-year career included a stint serving on Biden’s security detail when he was vice president.
Rob Bluey contributed to this report.
