Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle Resigns After Trump Assassination Attempt

Kimberly Cheatle has stepped down as Director of the U.S. Secret Service following intense scrutiny over a recent security breach related to an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

This decision comes as investigations by Congress and an internal watchdog scrutinize the agency’s handling of Trump’s security during a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this month.

In her resignation letter, Cheatle expressed that leaving the agency was a challenging choice and emphasized her hope that her departure would not detract from the agency’s core mission. She acknowledged shortcomings in the agency’s protective measures on the day of the shooting.

Deputy Director Ronald Rowe will temporarily lead the Secret Service, as announced by the Department of Homeland Security.

President Biden praised Cheatle’s service, noting the significant responsibility of leading an agency tasked with protecting national figures. However, bipartisan pressure had mounted for her resignation, particularly after a contentious appearance before the House Oversight Committee, where she was criticized for her evasiveness.

Despite initially resisting resignation, Cheatle, appointed in 2022, has agreed to cooperate with ongoing investigations into the security failures, which included lapses in controlling access to the rally site and inadequate response to pre-shooting warnings.