Democratic rep calls for Secret Service director to resign after Trump rally shooting

Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) has called on U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign in the wake of an assassination attempt against former President Trump, making him the first Congressional Democrat to do so.

“I am calling on Director Cheatle to resign immediately following last weekend’s shooting of a Presidential candidate in Western Pennsylvania,” Boyle said in a statement posted to X Saturday. “The evidence coming to light has shown unacceptable operational failures. I have no confidence in the leadership of the United States Secret Service if Director Cheatle chooses to remain in her position.”

Trump was hit with a bullet in the ear in an assassination attempt at one of his rallies in Butler, Pa., last weekend. He has recently been sporting a bandage on that ear following the shooting. 

The Secret Service has faced scrutiny in the wake of the shooting, with many questioning how the gunman had access to a roof that had a clear line of sight to Trump.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) called on Cheatle to resign on Wednesday and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called for new leadership at the agency on the same day.

“Last week’s near-assassination of former President Trump was a grave attack on American democracy,” McConnell said in a post on X. The nation deserves answers and accountability. New leadership at the Secret Service would be an important step in that direction.”

Cheatle said in an interview earlier this week that she would not resign from her role.

“I do plan to stay on,” she said. 

The Hill has reached out to the Secret Service.