The Secret Service’s recent debacle regarding the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump is a prime example of how to fumble the ball in spectacular fashion. Their refusal to spill the beans has only fueled the public’s demand for some good old-fashioned comeuppance.

Director Kimberly Cheatle’s dogged determination to cling to her position despite deafening calls for her exit is nothing short of comedic. She’s like a captain insisting the ship’s fine while standing ankle-deep in water. The so-called “continuity of operations” she swears by is as leaky as a sieve, leaving us with a near-catastrophic mess. This raises an important question: What specific security lapses allowed the would-be assassin to get close enough to attempt an attack on former President Trump?

Senator Marsha Blackburn hit the nail on the head, capturing the nation’s collective exasperation: “How did an assassination attempt happen on former President Donald Trump?” It’s a question that only grows louder with each passing day of the Secret Service’s radio silence. Even Senator Ted Cruz couldn’t help but label the all-Senators briefing as “utterly maddening.” Picture this: officials spending half the time filibustering, avoiding the elephant in the room—how on earth did they let a guy with a rifle get close enough to take a shot? It’s like they were auditioning for a satire skit, not a serious security briefing.

People attending the rally noticed the shooter and can be heard openly flagging the shooter on the rooftop to security—all of which was ignored. The only motive the FBI has uncovered on Trump’s would-be assassin is the shooter’s ominous note left on a gaming platform, promising a premiere as if he were launching a blockbuster movie. The lack of concrete evidence on his motives only adds to the smell of incompetence wafting from the agency.

Once the gold standard of protection for America’s top brass, the Secret Service now resembles a bumbling comedy troupe. How does the Secret Service plan to address and rectify the shortcomings in their “continuity of operations” to prevent future incidents? The demand for transparency and accountability is louder than a fireworks display, because without it, we’re not just risking our leaders’ safety but our nation’s as well.