FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. — Not many people have insight into the responsibilities of a Secret Service agent.
The former Forsyth County sheriff Bill Schatzman does.
Schatzman spent time working alongside the Secret Service as an FBI agent.
He shared his thoughts on the Secret Service hearing where director Kimberly Cheatle testified.
Schatzman said the Secret Service is great at what they do and had a theory about what went wrong on the day someone tried to assassinate former president Trump.
He said he believes some non-secret service personnel didn't collaborate well or communicate properly.
But Director Kimberly Cheatle did not blame anyone but herself during today's hearing.
“I think that was the right thing to say. I think that was admirable. She was ultimately responsible but not directly,” Schatzman said. “Her job is to ensure the integrity of the agency the public face of the agency.”
Several House Oversight Committee members questioned why no one was fired for the shooting.
Some even called for the director to step down saying they are not confident in her ability to lead and keep world leaders safe.
Members of the oversight committee were frustrated with the lack of answers or clarity.
Schatzman gave his insight into why she was tight-lipped.
“She was probably hesitant to speak definitively about what happened because the investigation was not complete. So you don't want to step out until you are sure you are on solid ground so there could be some answers to come,” Schatzman said. “You have to take the good with the bad and work through that. I think she will do that.”
It's important to note, as director, Cheatle said she wasn't part of the planning for the Trump rally and did not look over the security plan.
She said she has a team that does that.
WFMY News 2’s Itinease McMiller had a phone call with a Secret Service veteran of 16 years.
He said the future of the Secret Service director should not be made until the investigation is complete, which should take about 2 months.