US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has tendered her resignation amid scrutiny of security lapses related to the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
Her resignation reported by CNN follows investigations by lawmakers and an internal government watchdog into the agency’s handling of Trump’s protection.
The gunman came alarmingly close to killing the 2024 Republican presidential candidate at a rally in Pennsylvania this month. Cheatle stated in her resignation letter that she made the “difficult” decision to leave the agency “with a heavy heart,” acknowledging that on July 13, the day of the shooting, the agency “fell short” of its mission to protect national leaders.
Secret Service Deputy Director Ronald Rowe has been appointed to lead the agency, the Department of Homeland Security announced.
In a statement, President Joe Biden expressed gratitude for Cheatle’s decades of public service, commending her honor, courage, and integrity.
Despite bipartisan calls in Congress for her resignation, Cheatle had previously insisted she was the best person to lead the Secret Service.
House Speaker Mike Johnson noted that the resignation was “overdue” and emphasized the need to rebuild public trust in the Secret Service’s responsibilities.
The shooting incident, which left Trump injured and resulted in one rallygoer’s death, has led to increased scrutiny of the Secret Service’s security measures.
Cheatle admitted significant security failures at the rally, including an unsecured rooftop from which the gunman fired.
Investigations have revealed discrepancies between the Secret Service and Pennsylvania law enforcement regarding the handling of prior information about the gunman.
Cheatle, who had pledged full cooperation with the investigations, previously managed Global Security at PepsiCo and had a 27-year career with the Secret Service before her appointment as director in 2022.
