WASHINGTON, D.C. (MPG) - Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.

Calls for Cheatle’s resignation have been constant since the attempt on Former President Trump’s life in Butler, PA on July 13. The decisions made by the US Secret Service at the direction of Cheatle enabled a shooter to target and injure President Trump. Multiple reports of a threat were made prior to his appearance, and the shooter had been identified as a person of interest more than an hour before the shots were fired.

The Secret Services’ inability to act on known threats and their delayed response when the shooter was clearly identified demonstrate a catastrophic lapse in judgement and protocol. This breach of duty not only endangered President Trump, but also undermined public trust in their ability to protect these nations leaders.

At the House Oversight Committee hearing, Cheatle avoided giving definitive answers regarding the Secret Service’s failures. Her inability to provide clear explanations for the significant lapses in security and the decisions that allowed the shooter to operate unchallenged raised further concerns about her leadership, and her resignation was necessary.

LaMalfa said: “Kimberly Cheatle’s resignation is only the first step. Accountability starts at the top, but it doesn’t end there. Monday’s hearing provided zero answers to the American public. There needs to be a thorough investigation, with accountability and consequences at every level of the chain of command. The time for clarity is now, a vague report two months from now is not going to cut it.”