Kimberly Cheatle, Director of the Secret Service since August 2022, announced her resignation on Tuesday following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The incident has intensified criticism of the agency responsible for protecting current and former presidents.
Cheatle’s resignation comes in the wake of mounting calls for her departure and several investigations into how the shooter managed to get so close to Trump during an outdoor campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Cheatle acknowledged her responsibility for the security lapse in an email to staff, stating, “I take full responsibility for the security lapse. In light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision to step down as your director.”
The Secret Service is under scrutiny for its performance, particularly after the failures of July 13, and Cheatle’s resignation does little to quell ongoing investigations. These include a congressional probe, an inspector general review, and an independent, bipartisan effort initiated by President Joe Biden.
Cheatle faced a barrage of criticism from both Democrats and Republicans during her testimony before Congress. She described the attack on Trump as the Secret Service’s “most significant operational failure” in decades but faced backlash for her inability to provide detailed answers about the incident.
President Biden acknowledged Cheatle’s service, expressing gratitude for her leadership during the administration but did not specify a timeline for appointing a new director.
The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, managed to get within 135 meters (157 yards) of the stage where Trump was speaking. Despite the heightened security due to a previous threat from Iran, Crooks was able to open fire from a roof identified as a potential vulnerability. Cheatle confirmed the Secret Service had been alerted to a suspicious individual multiple times before the shooting but failed to address why no agents were stationed on the roof.
The aftermath of the shooting resulted in one death and two critical injuries among rallygoers. The Secret Service, which relies heavily on local law enforcement for event security, is facing increased scrutiny over its handling of the incident.
Cheatle’s resignation comes amid calls for greater accountability and reform within the Secret Service. House Speaker Mike Johnson described her departure as “overdue” and emphasized the need to rebuild public trust in the agency.
Cheatle’s tenure at the Secret Service, marked by her previous role as assistant director of protective operations and her return to lead the agency in 2022, has now ended under controversial circumstances. She is the second woman to lead the Secret Service and served for a total of 27 years, including a period as a security executive at PepsiCo before her recent appointment.
The Secret Service’s future will continue to be a focal point of investigation and reform as the agency deals with the fallout from this significant security breach.
Source: Associated Press
