US Secret Service Director Resigns Following Assassination Attempt on Trump

Washington, D.C., The Gulf Observer: Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the US Secret Service, has announced her resignation following the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump. The incident has sparked intense scrutiny and criticism of the agency’s ability to fulfill its primary mission of protecting current and former presidents.

Cheatle, who had been at the helm of the Secret Service since August 2022, faced mounting pressure to resign and several investigations into the security lapse that allowed the shooter to get dangerously close to the Republican presidential nominee at an outdoor campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

“I take full responsibility for the security lapse,” Cheatle said in an email to staff on Tuesday, which was obtained by The Associated Press. “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’s resignation is unlikely to quell the ongoing scrutiny of the agency, particularly in light of the failures on July 13. Her departure comes at a critical time, with the Democratic National Convention and a busy presidential campaign season on the horizon.

Bipartisan lawmakers have vowed to continue investigating the incident, alongside an inspector general probe and an independent bipartisan effort initiated at President Joe Biden’s request, ensuring that the agency remains under the spotlight.

“The scrutiny over the last week has been intense and will continue to remain as our operational tempo increases,” Cheatle stated in her note to staff. Her resignation followed a contentious congressional hearing where she was grilled by both Democrats and Republicans over the security breach.

During the hearing on Monday, Cheatle referred to the assassination attempt as the Secret Service’s “most significant operational failure” in decades, reiterating her responsibility for the lapses. However, she frustrated lawmakers by not providing specific answers about the ongoing investigation.

Despite acknowledging the agency’s failures, Cheatle defended her position as the “right person” to lead the Secret Service. When Republican Representative Nancy Mace suggested that Cheatle draft her resignation letter from the hearing room, Cheatle curtly replied, “No, thank you.”

The shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, managed to get within 135 meters (157 yards) of the stage where Trump was speaking before opening fire. Cheatle admitted that the Secret Service had received multiple warnings about a suspicious individual before the rally.

Cheatle also disclosed that the roof from which Crooks fired had been flagged as a potential vulnerability days before the event. Despite this, she was unable to explain why no agents were stationed on the roof, leaving many questions about the security breach unanswered.

Cheatle’s resignation marks a significant leadership change for the Secret Service at a pivotal time, with ongoing investigations and the agency’s reputation on the line.