Washington turned up the heat on the Secret Service after it became abundantly clear that the agency was either incompetent or downright criminally negligent.

The frustration came after an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump ended with his hitting the stage after a shot pierced the top of his ear, only narrowly missing his skull.

The chief of the Secret Service has been lambasted since the shooting, with members of both parties calling on her to step down for what was almost a lethal mistake for one of her protectees, as Breitbart News reported.

As a result of the failed attempt to assassinate the former President, Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) has become the first Democrat in Congress to publicly demand that U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle step down immediately.

The Call

On Saturday, Boyle, who represents a district in Philadelphia's suburbs, vented his frustrations on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“I am calling on Director Cheatle to resign immediately following last weekend’s shooting of a Presidential candidate in Western Pennsylvania,” his statement declared.

“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.”

Director Cheatle must resign immediately.

My statement calling for the resignation of United States Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle: pic.twitter.com/q0ONU8PlAF

— Rep. Brendan Boyle (@CongBoyle) July 21, 2024

Horrible Mistake

Breitbart News reported that the Secret Service had "repeatedly denied requests" from the former president's security detail for "additional resources and personnel," and the Pennsylvania congressman's declaration followed hours afterward.

A number of Republican lawmakers have demanded Cheatle's resignation, and Boyle has joined them, according to the Washington Examiner. These include Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) is among many who have questioned Cheatle's competence and discretion in her role.

The Secret Service chief, however, reiterated earlier this week that she has no plans to leave, further frustrating those who consider last weekends lack of protection a complete dereliction of duty.

The Background

Monday, Cheatle testified before a congressional committee in response to inquiries concerning the shooting just over a week after the shots rang out at the Trump rally.

Cheatle has prior experience working as PepsiCo's senior director of global security.

The security agency head took a number of questions about the event on Monday without offering much satisfaction to lawmakers.