Lawmaker wants Secret Service focused on guarding leaders, not financial crimes

[RAY BOGAN]

A Democratic Congressman wants to relieve the Secret Service of its duty to investigate financial crimes, and focus the agency solely on protecting political leaders. Congressman Ritchie Torres’ introduced separate proposals that would not only narrow the agency’s responsibilities, but also expand its requirements for ensuring the safety of its protectees. 

The Secret Service was created in 1865 to investigate financial crimes under the Department of the Treasury. It was not tasked with protecting presidents full time until 1902. 

To this day, the Secret Service has two missions: 1) provide protection and investigative services to ensure the safety and security of protectees, key locations and events of national significance, and 2) protect the integrity of US currency and investigate crimes against the U.S. financial system. 

The Torres bill would put an end to that. 

Torres introduced a separate bill that would create new requirements for setting up safety perimeters. 

It states the Director of the Secret Service shall be responsible for ensuring a minimum secured perimeter of 500 yards, or the firing range of firearms likely to be used in an assassination attempt. It would also require the director to ensure all elevated positions are secured. 

The bill specifically states its the director’s job to ensure these perimeters meet the standards. That’s significant because as it was revealed during Congressional testimony, former Director Kimberly Cheatle did not review those plans. 

Rep. Michael Cloud

Did you review the security plans for this event? 

Former Director Kimberly Cheatle: 

I personally do not review security plans for events that take place across the country.

Rep. Michael Cloud, R-TX

Any of them?  Who’s the top level official who reviews the security plans? 

Former Director Kimberly Cheatle: 

There’s a number of people that review security plans as they unfold.

Rep. Michael Cloud, R-TX

Who is ultimately responsible for signing off on a security plan? 

Former Director Kimberly Cheatle: 

It’s a conjunction of personnel. There are people on the ground, there are supervisors on the detail, there are people at headquarters. 

Rep. Michael Cloud, R-TX

So there’s not one person who says, ‘Okay, this is good, it’s copacetic. We’re going for it.’ 

Former Director Kimberly Cheatle: 

I think much in the way we build our security plans.. 

Rep. Michael Cloud, R-TX

No doubt theres teams working different aspects of it. But ultimately, isn’t there an individual who signs off on the the plan? 

Former Director Kimberly Cheatle: 

Much like how we design our security plans. Their multi layered. There are multiple layers. 

Rep. Michael Cloud, R-TX

So there’s no accountability. 

Former Director Kimberly Cheatle: 

There is accountability.

[RAY BOGAN]

If Torres’ bills pass the changes would be implemented over the course of a couple months. For more reporting on congress straight from Capitol hill, download the straight arrow news app.