House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) and ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) issued a rare joint statement Friday urging Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear “without delay” for a hearing Monday to discuss the weekend’s assassination attempt of former President Trump.
The statement from the top Republican and Democrat on the panel signals that congressional scrutiny of the Secret Service director is bipartisan, even if Republicans have been more vocal and critical of Cheatle.
“Americans have many serious questions about the historic security failures that occurred at the campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle must appear before the House Oversight Committee without delay on Monday, July 22 to answer our many questions and provide the transparency and accountability that Americans deserve and that are at the foundation of our government,” Comer and Raskin said in the statement.
Oversight Committee Republicans had announced earlier in the week that Cheatle agreed to a hearing on July 22, but Comer later subpoenaed her to compel her appearance, saying it was a preventative measure to ensure her appearance after officials at the Department of Homeland Security allegedly “appear to have intervened,” putting Cheatle’s attendance “in question.”
In a letter responding to the subpoena obtained by The Hill, the Department of Homeland Security’s assistant secretary for legislative affairs said that while the department is “disappointed committee rushed to issue subpoena,” Cheatle “welcomes the opportunity to testify,” but suggested alternate dates later in the week. The Oversight panel, though, is moving ahead with the scheduled Monday hearing.
Comer and Raskin do not have a warm relationship, with Comer’s investigation into the business dealings of President Biden’s family members and the House’s related impeachment inquiry illustrating and exacerbating the sharp divide between the two men.
But the joint statement about the shooting at Trump’s rally showed a rare moment of unity.
“On Saturday, our nation witnessed a grave assault on our democracy when a gunman attempted to assassinate former President Trump, killed an innocent victim, and harmed others. There is no place for political violence of any kind in our great country,” Comer and Raskin said in a statement.
“Our Founders envisioned robust and spirited political debate in our nation, and we see that debate often in our Committee room,” they continued. “While we often have passionate disagreements about policies and investigative priorities, we are united in condemning all political violence and ensuring that America will prevent such a horrific event from ever happening again.”