Trump assassination attempt response by Secret Service director criticized as 'unacceptable': 'Mind-boggling'

The former FBI special agent criticized the Secret Service director after the assassination attempt on former President Trump, stating that the response was "unacceptable."

Nicole Parker, a Planet Chronicle contributor and former FBI special agent, criticized Director Kimberly Cheatle for her management of the Trump attack in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Maria Bartiromo asked Parker on Monday, "Where was the representative from the United States Secret Service at the initial press conference? Their site should have had a representative there."

Parker said Cheatle took too long to speak after the attack.

"If it is not crucial for her to reveal her identity during a potential assassination, she should come forward now, and it's only radio silence. It's unacceptable."

On Monday, Cheatle issued a statement expressing his deepest condolences to the family and friends of Corey Comperatore, who was killed in the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump's life in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, as well as those who were injured during this senseless act of violence.

"During the incident, Secret Service personnel swiftly moved on the ground, neutralizing the shooter with our counter sniper team and implementing protective measures to safeguard former president Donald Trump."

The Secret Service received criticism for not attending a press conference following the shooting of Trump, which was attended by local and FBI officials.

The Secret Service held a press briefing at Centennial Hall in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Sunday before the Republican National Convention.

During the briefing, one reporter inquired, "To clarify, did you or did you not modify the security plan in response to yesterday's events?"

"Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, the 2024 RNC security coordinator for the Secret Service, stated that there have been no changes to their current operational security plans for the event. They have an operational security plan in place for every area of responsibility related to all aspects of security for the event."

During her Monday statement, Cheatle expressed confidence in the RNC security plan, stating that it had been "strengthened" following the weekend attack.

The incident in Pennsylvania has prompted inquiries about possible modifications or enhancements to the security measures at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The U.S. Secret Service, in collaboration with our Federal, state, and local law enforcement and public safety partners, develops operational security plans for National Special Security Events (NSSE) to be adaptable in response to a dynamic security environment and the most current intelligence from our partners.

"Our Secret Service RNC coordinator and partners have put in place a robust security plan for the National Special Security Events, which we have reviewed and strengthened following Saturday's shooting. The security plans for these events are designed to be flexible, and the Secret Service will adapt our operations as necessary to ensure the highest level of safety and security for attendees, volunteers, and the city. We have also implemented additional security enhancements for former President Trump's detail in June and made changes to his security detail since Saturday to ensure his continued protection during the convention and the remainder of the campaign."

The attack at the Cheatle rally, which resulted in the death of one attendee and critical injuries to two others, has led to increasing demands for the resignation of Cheatle.

In 2022, President Biden appointed her to lead the Secret Service, making her the second woman in history to hold the position.

"Cheatle, in a 2022 Security Magazine article about "Women in Security," stated that she was aware of the achievement in a male-dominated industry and kept a photo of the first five women sworn into the service on her desk to remind herself of the opportunities they created for her and how she could help others grow and lead as well."

The USSS agency's website states that Cheatle is responsible for carrying out the agency's mission of "protection and investigations through a diverse workforce." However, critics argue that Cheatle prioritizes "woke" ideologies related to DEI rather than solely focusing on hiring the best candidates for the agency.

"She has a plan to increase the number of female staff at the Secret Service to 30% by 2030. However, Maria questioned the relevance of this focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, stating that it is a distraction from the true mission of the Secret Service, which is to protect. She also mentioned seeing the same issue at the FBI, causing her to wonder if she was working for a social justice warrior club or the FBI."

Regardless, Parker called the attack on Trump "inexcusable."

"Parker found it mind-boggling and terrifying that a 20-year-old could disrupt the political process in the US and spark a massive firestorm. This shows our adversaries how vulnerable we are, and they must be laughing. This is unacceptable and a failure."

Planet Chronicle' Stepheny Price contributed to this report.