Staff Reports
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to calling out the Biden administration’s approach to national security, particularly concerning the protection of former President Donald Trump. During a hearing with the House Oversight Committee, Luna made it clear that she’s fed up with the Secret Service’s handling of recent threats. On this particular occasion, she directed her ire at Kimberly Cheatle, the Secret Service Director appointed by President Biden, demanding that the committee look into potential perjury charges against her.
Luna highlighted discrepancies in Cheatle’s testimony regarding a specific incident where law enforcement had reported a threat against Trump. Cheatle previously claimed that the Secret Service had no prior knowledge of the threat, leading Luna to question how that could be the case when evidence from group chats suggested otherwise. This situation raises eyebrows and concerns about how well-protected elected officials truly are when they have someone at the helm who may not be on the ball.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna asks the chairman of the House Oversight Committee to look into perjury charges against Kimberly Cheatle.
“Every single member of Congress does not feel safe with you in charge. We are all sitting ducks with you directing the Secret Service.” pic.twitter.com/a1gBNTZNdX
— Alana Mastrangelo (@ARmastrangelo) July 22, 2024
It’s hard to overstate how serious Luna’s claims are; she asserted that members of Congress feel like “sitting ducks” under Cheatle’s leadership. In an environment that should ensure the safety of lawmakers, there’s absolutely no room for complacency or confusion from those tasked with their protection. Luna contends that Cheatle’s failure to act in the face of clear threats places the safety of not just Congress but the nation at risk.
Cheatle attempted to deflect criticism by arguing semantics, claiming there’s a difference between a “threat” and being “suspicious.” This wording gymnastics might fly in the realm of academic debate, but not when national security is on the line. Luna didn’t let Cheatle off the hook, pressing the issue that concrete actions should have been taken upon receiving the information, regardless of the language used to describe the threat.
Most interestingly, Luna even went so far as to suggest that Cheatle should formally step down from her position, citing shared sentiments across the aisle, even among Democrats. This is a rare moment of bipartisan concern—an indication that the call for accountability may bridge party lines. Meanwhile, Cheatle seems more focused on sticking around than addressing the concerns of those whom she’s supposed to protect, further fueling calls for her resignation.
In a time when threats against public figures are not just a possibility but an unfortunate reality, Luna’s pointed questions and demands are a stark reminder that our leaders need to be held accountable for their actions—or lack thereof. If the Secret Service is unable to adapt to these evolving risks, Americans might have more to fear than just the boogeyman; they might need to keep a wary eye on those supposed to keep them safe.
