The director of the US Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, has resigned just a day after a contentious House hearing where members of both parties called for her to quit her job in the wake of the assassination attempt against Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally.
Cheatle, who had served as Secret Service director since August 2022, had called the attempt on Trump’s life the Secret Service’s “most significant operational failure” in decades.
She had told lawmakers at hearing – where both Republicans and Democrats indugled in a rare display of unity – that she would takes full responsibility for the security lapses. But she also angered her interrogators by failing to answer some specific questions about the investigation into what exactly went wrong.
The 20-year-old gunman who tried to take Trump’s life had seemingly dodged all the security around the former US president with ease and was able to open fire from a roof near the stage on which Trump was speaking. The attack came despite him being spotted by onlookers at the really and encountering law enforcement.
The assassination attempt failed but injured Trump and two other rally-goers and killed another. It roiled American politics and shocked political observers on all sides as it came amid widespread fears of an uptick in political violence during a deeply fraught election campaign.
In her resignation letter to staff Cheatle said: “The Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders and financial infrastructure. On July 13th, we fell short on that mission. The scrutiny over the last week has been intense and will continue to remain as our operational tempo increases. As your director, I take full responsibility for the security lapse.”
She added: “The Secret Service will move forward with our investigatory and protective mission in a steadfast manner. We do not retreat from challenge. However, I do not want my calls for resignation to be a distraction from the great work each and every one of you do towards our vital mission … In light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that, I have made the difficult decision to step down as your director.”
Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
