July 23, 2024 – WASHINGTON
The Secret Service director, Kimberly Cheatle, is stepping down, after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. This incident raised concerns about the agency’s ability to protect presidents.
Cheatle, who became director in August 2022, faced increasing pressure to resign. Investigations are underway to determine how the shooter got so close to Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
“I take full responsibility for the security lapse,” Cheatle said in an email to staff. “It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to step down as your director.”
Her resignation is unlikely to end the scrutiny of the agency, especially with the upcoming Democratic National Convention and presidential campaign season. Lawmakers from both parties have promised continued investigations, including an inspector general probe and an independent effort initiated by President Joe Biden.
“The scrutiny over the last week has been intense and will continue as our operational tempo increases,” Cheatle wrote to staff.
Cheatle’s resignation follows a tense congressional hearing where she was criticized by both Democrats and Republicans for the security failures. She called the attempt on Trump’s life the agency’s “most significant operational failure” in decades and took full responsibility for the lapses. However, she angered lawmakers by not answering specific questions about the investigation.
During the hearing, Cheatle insisted she was the “right person” to lead the Secret Service, despite calls for her resignation. Republican Rep. Nancy Mace suggested she start drafting her resignation letter, to which Cheatle replied, “No, thank you.”
The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, got within 135 meters of the stage where Trump was speaking and opened fire. This happened despite increased security due to a threat from Iran.
Cheatle admitted the Secret Service was warned about a suspicious person multiple times before the rally. She also revealed that the roof from which Crooks fired had been identified as a potential vulnerability days before the rally. However, she could not explain why no agents were stationed on the roof.