Washington, D.C. — U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle announced her resignation on Tuesday, following intense bipartisan scrutiny over the agency’s failure to thwart an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
Cheatle conveyed her decision through an internal message to Secret Service employees, marking the end of her tumultuous tenure.
The resignation comes in the wake of a harrowing incident at a Pennsylvania rally on July 13, where a gunman managed to fire multiple shots at Trump, injuring the former president and tragically killing a spectator.
The attack has since sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability within the Secret Service.
Cheatle’s resignation was preceded by a grueling hearing on Monday before the House Oversight Committee.
The session was marked by bipartisan condemnation of her leadership and mounting frustration over her inability to provide clear answers regarding the security lapse.
Lawmakers from both parties expressed disbelief that the gunman had not been intercepted before carrying out the attack.
“It is overdue,” stated House Speaker Mike Johnson moments after learning of Cheatle’s resignation.
“She should have done this at least a week ago. I’m happy to see that.” Johnson emphasized that the resignation would not alter the plans for a newly announced bipartisan task force aimed at investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
President Joe Biden however issued a statement thanking Cheatle for her service and underscoring the importance of the ongoing investigation.
“We all know what happened that day can never happen again,” Biden said, assuring the public that a thorough review would be conducted to prevent future incidents.
He also mentioned that a new director would be appointed soon.
Cheatle, who had been with the Secret Service for nearly three decades before a brief tenure in the private sector as head of security for PepsiCo, was appointed by Biden in 2022. During her time as director, she focused on enhancing workforce diversity, particularly in recruiting more women to the agency.
Despite her efforts, the recent security failure has overshadowed her initiatives and ultimately led to her stepping down.
The bipartisan call for Cheatle’s resignation highlights the gravity of the Secret Service’s failure in protecting a former president.
Both Democrats and Republicans have voiced their concerns, signaling a rare moment of unity in holding the agency accountable.
Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, echoed the sentiment of many lawmakers, saying, “The American people need to have confidence in the agencies tasked with protecting our leaders.
This incident has shaken that confidence, and we must work diligently to restore it.”
The newly formed bipartisan task force is expected to delve deep into the lapses that allowed the assassination attempt to occur.
The investigation will likely involve a comprehensive review of security protocols, communication breakdowns, and the overall readiness of the Secret Service to handle such threats.
As the Secret Service navigates this crisis, the focus will be on implementing reforms to ensure that such a breach of security does not happen again.
Cheadle’s resignation marks a pivotal moment for the Secret Service.
It serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in protecting national leaders and the relentless scrutiny that comes with the responsibility.
Credit: Politico, USA
