Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said Monday there is no evidence of a second shooter in the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
She also rejected claims that her agency refused requests for Mr. Trump’s security on the day of the shooting, and denied allegations that agents who might have been used for Mr. Trump’s protective detail were instead assigned to a nearby event with first lady Jill Biden.
“There were no assets that were diverted,” Ms. Cheatle said in testimony to the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.
She said there’s no evidence of foreign involvement in the shooting and there is no evidence the shooting was staged.
Both of those ideas have circulated in some corners of the internet.
She also said that she has no evidence about claims that someone was on a water tower overlooking the rally site and that there is no evidence of a second shooter.
But she was less definitive in her comments about Mr. Trump’s overall security.
Rep. Mike Waltz, Florida Republican, said he had heard directly from Secret Service whistleblowers who said they had requested — in writing — more resources for Mr. Trump.
Ms. Cheatle didn’t deny that, but told lawmakers she wasn’t prepared Monday to talk about it because she didn’t “have them in front of me.”
“I have heard the same reports that you have,” the director said.
Mr. Waltz pointed to a social media statement by Ms. Cheatle’s spokesman and a television appearance by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas — Ms. Cheatle’s boss — that he said suggested Mr. Trump was not denied resources.
Ms. Cheatle said both Mr. Mayorkas and her spokesman must have been talking about the July 13 event only.
She declined to say how many other requests from other dates were not granted, but insisted her agency works to deploy adequate resources in each event to address the “vulnerability” in some way.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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