U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned on Tuesday following mounting pressure after the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The resignation comes amidst growing bipartisan criticism of the agency's security failures during the incident at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
Fox News confirmed the resignation, citing a letter Cheatle sent to the agency. In the letter, Cheatle acknowledged the Secret Service's failure to adequately protect Trump during the rally, where a gunman, Thomas Crooks, narrowly missed fatally wounding the former president. Instead, the bullet struck and killed firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was shielding his family.
"The Secret Service's solemn mission is to protect our nation's leaders and financial infrastructure," Cheatle wrote. "On July 13th, we fell short on that mission."
Mounting Pressure and Accountability
Cheatle's resignation follows intense scrutiny during a House Oversight Committee hearing on Monday, where she faced bipartisan criticism. Lawmakers expressed their frustration over the agency's handling of security at the rally and its subsequent communication lapses. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer described the Secret Service under Cheatle's leadership as "the face of incompetence."
"It is my firm belief, Director Cheatle, that you should resign," Comer stated during the hearing. "The safety of Secret Service protectees is not based on their political affiliation. And the bottom line is that under Director Cheatle's leadership, we question whether anyone is safe."
Cheatle admitted under oath that the agency failed in its mission on July 13, taking full responsibility for the security lapse. "As the director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse of our agency," she said. "We must learn what happened and I will move heaven and earth to ensure that an incident like July 13th does not happen again."
President Biden's Response
President Joe Biden, who had not dismissed Cheatle in the days following the assassination attempt, expressed gratitude for her service. "As a leader, it takes honor, courage, and incredible integrity to take full responsibility for an organization tasked with one of the most challenging jobs in public service," Biden said. "We all know what happened that day can never happen again. As we move forward, I wish Kim all the best."
Biden confirmed that a new director would be appointed soon to lead the agency through this tumultuous period.
Internal and External Investigations
In light of the security breach, the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general has launched an investigation into the Secret Service's handling of security for the Trump rally. Cheatle had previously stated that the agency was "solely responsible" for the security design and implementation at the event.
The Secret Service has faced significant criticism for not positioning an agent on the rooftop from which Crooks fired the shots. Cheatle explained that the building's sloped roof was deemed unsafe for positioning an agent, a decision now under intense review.
Legacy and Future of the Secret Service
Cheatle's departure marks a significant moment for the Secret Service. Having served 27 years in the agency, her career included roles such as supervising details for then-Vice President Dick Cheney and Joe Biden, and overseeing the agency's protective mission under the Trump administration.
"In light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision to step down as your Director," Cheatle wrote. "We remain an organization based on integrity and staffed by individuals of exceptional dedication and talent."
The resignation aims to avoid further distractions and enable the agency to refocus on its critical mission. Cheatle's move was influenced by a desire to prevent her position from being a continued source of controversy and distraction for the agency's personnel.
The Secret Service is now tasked with regaining public trust and addressing the shortcomings revealed by the assassination attempt. House Speaker Mike Johnson underscored the need to "rebuild the American people's faith and trust in the Secret Service as an agency."
