Lee Calls for Improvements in Secret Service Accountability After Whistleblower Alleges Coverup

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) recently revealed a whistleblower who alleged the Secret Service was hiding details about former President Donald Trump's security, which Representative Laurel Lee (R-FL), who sits on the bipartisan assassination attempt task force, to discuss in a recent appearance on Fox Business's Mornings with Maria, reiterating the need for accountability from the Service.

According to Sen. Hawley, the whistleblower alleged the Secret Service denied auditors access to expenses for certain Trump campaign events to hide security shortfalls despite claims the former president was receiving adequate protection.

Rep. Lee stated she knew "since the original assassination attempt, the Secret Service has significantly enhanced the assets that are surrounding President Trump, and while I recognize that certainly, there is a need to perhaps not share publicly exactly what they are doing because we do not want to inform our adversaries, it is vital that they share with these committees and Congress that are conducting oversight."

At the beginning of October, Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) alleged that the upper echelons of the Secret Service repeatedly denied requests for extra security from Trump because they "do not like Trump [and] do not want him to look authoritative and strong and ascendant and powerful, and so for the sake of looks and their political bias, they could tear this country apart by leaving this guy vulnerable to be killed."

While Rep. Lee did not endorse the accusation, she did say that in addition to ensuring that Trump and others under Secret Service protection received appropriate security, "Number two is making sure that we fix what is broken at the Secret Service, that there is accountability and that we make any sort of structural changes or protocol changes that we can get in."

"So to the extent that they are not being forthcoming with the [Inspector General], with auditors, with Congressional committees, that absolutely has to stop because that is the only way we are going to fix this going forward," Lee concluded.

In late September, the Florida Congresswoman said that increasing the funding of the Secret Service was merely "throwing money at the problem." She speculated, "Is there a way that we can reallocate or shift some of those resources without simply adding to a budget? Right now, the focus needs to be on who we can bring in [and] what trained agents are out there to elevate the overall security forces protecting President Trump and all of their other protectees?"