McConnell joins long list of Republicans calling for new Secret Service leadership​​

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has joined the chorus of Republicans calling for a change in leadership at the Secret Service.

McConnell said the nation “deserves answers” for the massive security breach that allowed a would-be assassin to open fire on Donald Trump, killing an attendee of the former president’s rally.

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

McConnell’s statement comes as Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has taken heat for overseeing the agency as they failed to prevent the assassination attempt against Trump during a Pennsylvania rally. On July 13, a gunman took shots at Trump as he spoke to roaring crowds in Butler County.

The Secret Service has been slammed for failing to stop the alleged gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, allowing him to gain access to a rooftop approximately 130 yards from Trump’s podium. Reports suggested police were warned about the would-be assassin nearly 90 seconds before the shooting, as well as other perceived lapses from law enforcement present at the rally. 

McConnell’s demand for new leadership comes after other top Republicans have voiced concern that the Secret Service director remains in power. 

Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and John Barrasso (R-WY) are among the Senate Republicans who have been critical of Cheatle, while multiple House conservatives have asked the embattled Secret Service leader to step down. 

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), and Reps. Cory Mills (R-FL) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) say Cheatle should be replaced. 

Cheatle agreed on Wednesday to testify in a hearing on July 22 in front of the House Oversight Committee.