US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle Resigns Amid Scrutiny After Assassination Attempt on Trump
In a shocking turn of events, US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has tendered her resignation following the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Sources tell CNN that Cheatle made the “difficult” decision to step down amidst growing scrutiny of security lapses related to the incident.
Lawmakers and an internal government watchdog have launched investigations into the agency’s handling of Trump’s protection and how a gunman came dangerously close to killing the 2024 Republican presidential candidate at a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this month.
Cheatle, in her resignation letter, expressed her heavy heart and emphasized that she doesn’t want her departure to distract agents from their mission. She acknowledged that the agency “fell short” of its mission to protect the nation’s leaders on the day of the shooting.
Secret Service Deputy Director Ronald Rowe has been appointed to lead the agency, as announced by the Department of Homeland Security. President Joe Biden expressed gratitude for Cheatle’s decades of public service, praising her honor, courage, and integrity in taking responsibility for the agency’s challenging job.
There have been bipartisan calls in Congress for Cheatle’s resignation, with Republican lawmakers pushing for her impeachment. Cheatle faced criticism after her appearance in front of the House Oversight Committee, where she was unwilling to answer many questions.
House Speaker Mike Johnson described Cheatle’s resignation as “overdue,” emphasizing the need to rebuild trust in the Secret Service. The agency has been questioned about its handling of security at the rally and the failure to prevent the assassination attempt.
Cheatle, who was appointed by Biden in 2022, had initially refused to step down but ultimately made the decision to resign. In an interview with CNN, she defended the agency’s role in the security lapses at the rally site.
As more details emerge about the attempted attack, questions have been raised about the Secret Service’s protection of Trump that day and the communication breakdown with local law enforcement. Cheatle had pledged full cooperation with investigations into the agency’s approach to the incident.
Cheatle’s resignation marks a significant development in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on Trump, highlighting the challenges faced by the Secret Service in ensuring the safety of the nation’s leaders.