Secret Service Director Resigns After Trump Assassination Attempt
Kimberly A. Cheatle gave up her post Tuesday after security failures that allowed a gunman to shoot at former President Donald J. Trump at an open-air rally.
The director of the Secret Service, Kimberly A. Cheatle, has resigned following security failures that allowed a gunman to attempt an assassination of former President Donald J. Trump at a rally on July 13, 2024. Cheatle, a veteran of the agency who had also served under Vice Presidents Dick Cheney and Joe Biden, acknowledged in her resignation email that the Secret Service "fell short of its mission" to protect the nation's leaders. President Biden accepted her resignation, thanking her for her service and praising her integrity in taking full responsibility for the security lapse.
The resignation comes amidst heavy criticism and calls for Cheatle to step down from lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle. A contentious hearing with the House Oversight Committee left lawmakers frustrated by Cheatle's lack of specific answers regarding the security failures. Lawmakers, including Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), asked for a detailed timeline of events leading up to the shooting, which Cheatle was unable to provide.
The shooting, which resulted in the death of a former local fire chief and left Trump with injuries, has brought to light several security lapses. Investigators are questioning why the building from which the gunman fired was excluded from the Secret Service's security perimeter and why no officers were stationed on the roof. There is also scrutiny over the decision to allow Trump on stage while a suspicious person was still being sought.
Despite initial support from Biden administration officials, Cheatle's position became increasingly untenable as criticism mounted. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) confronted Cheatle directly at the Republican National Convention, with Barrasso stating, "You put him within less than an inch of his life. Resignation or full explanation."
In response to the assassination attempt, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) have announced the formation of a bipartisan task force to investigate the security failures. The task force, evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, underscores the seriousness with which Congress is treating the matter.
The Secret Service's failure to protect Trump has highlighted the growing anxiety among voters about the state of America's political divide and the urgent need to address it.
The resignation comes amidst heavy criticism and calls for Cheatle to step down from lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle. A contentious hearing with the House Oversight Committee left lawmakers frustrated by Cheatle's lack of specific answers regarding the security failures. Lawmakers, including Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), asked for a detailed timeline of events leading up to the shooting, which Cheatle was unable to provide.
The shooting, which resulted in the death of a former local fire chief and left Trump with injuries, has brought to light several security lapses. Investigators are questioning why the building from which the gunman fired was excluded from the Secret Service's security perimeter and why no officers were stationed on the roof. There is also scrutiny over the decision to allow Trump on stage while a suspicious person was still being sought.
Despite initial support from Biden administration officials, Cheatle's position became increasingly untenable as criticism mounted. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) confronted Cheatle directly at the Republican National Convention, with Barrasso stating, "You put him within less than an inch of his life. Resignation or full explanation."
In response to the assassination attempt, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) have announced the formation of a bipartisan task force to investigate the security failures. The task force, evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, underscores the seriousness with which Congress is treating the matter.
The Secret Service's failure to protect Trump has highlighted the growing anxiety among voters about the state of America's political divide and the urgent need to address it.