“The Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders. On July 13th, we failed. As the Director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse,” Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle told the committee in her opening comments. However, as Representatives from both political parties began their line of questioning, Cheatle had very little in the way of answers.
Republican Representative Nancy Mace from South Carolina grew so frustrated with Cheatle that she flatly said to her, “You are so full of SHIT today!” and later called her dishonest and lying.
MACE: Was this a colossal failure?
CHEATLE: It was a failure.
MACE: Yes or no, was it a colossal failure is the question.
CHEATLE: I have admitted this is a terrible—” Cheatle said in an attempt to respond before Mace cut her off. Eventually, she simply said “yes.”
Mace then began tearing into Cheatle over the opening statement she gave in the hearing, which had leaked to the press.
CHEATLE: “I have no idea how my statement got out,” the agency chief claimed.
MACE: “Well,” Mace said, “that’s bullshit.”
The discussion continued with more expletives:
MACE: Okay. Is the Secret Service fully cooperating with our committee? Yes. Okay. You say you’re fully cooperating with this committee? On July 15th, this committee sent you a list of demands of information that we wanted. Has the Secret Service provided this committee a complete list of all law enforcement personnel that were there that day? Have you done that? Have you provided a list to the oversight Committee? Yes or no? I’ll have to get back to you on that. That is a no. Have you provided all audio and video recordings in your possession to this committee, as we asked on July 15th? Yes or no?
CHEATLE: I would have to get back to you.
MACE: That is a no. You’re full of shit today. You’re just being completely dishonest.
(UNKNOWN VOICE): Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman.
CHEATLE: I point to…
MACE: Come on…
(Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD): We have to maintain decorum in this committee. No matter how upset we get.
MACE: You provide any and all memos to this committee that we asked you on July 15th? Have you provided on memorandums within the Secret Service?
CHEATLE: I would have to get back to you on that is a no.
MACE: You’re being dishonest or lying like I just you’re being dishonest here with this committee. These are important questions that the American people want answers to. And you’re just you’re just dodging and talking around in generalities. And we had to subpoena you to be here. And you won’t even answer the questions we have asked you repeatedly to answer our questions. This isn’t hard. These are not hard questions.