Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the Secret Service, announced her resignation on Tuesday following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. This incident has intensified the ongoing scrutiny of the agency’s ability to fulfill its core mission of protecting current and former presidents. Cheatle, who had been in her role since August 2022, faced mounting calls to resign and multiple investigations regarding the security lapse that allowed the shooter to get alarmingly close to Trump during an outdoor campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
In an email to her staff, Cheatle stated, “I take full responsibility for the security lapse. In light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision to step down as your director.” The Associated Press obtained this email, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the pressures facing Cheatle and the agency.
Despite her resignation, the scrutiny of the Secret Service is expected to continue, especially given the significant security failure on July 13. Lawmakers from both parties have committed to ongoing investigations, including an inspector general probe and an independent, bipartisan review initiated by President Joe Biden. This increased focus on the agency comes at a critical time with the Democratic National Convention and an active presidential campaign season on the horizon.
Cheatle noted the intense scrutiny in her message to staff, stating, “The scrutiny over the last week has been intense and will continue to remain as our operational tempo increases.” Her resignation follows a contentious appearance before a congressional committee, where she faced hours of grilling from both Democrats and Republicans over the security breaches.
During the hearing, Cheatle described the assassination attempt on Trump as the “most significant operational failure” in decades for the Secret Service. She accepted full responsibility for the lapses but frustrated lawmakers by failing to provide specific answers about the ongoing investigation. Despite the intense questioning, Cheatle remained defiant, asserting she was still the “right person” to lead the Secret Service, even as she acknowledged the security failures. When Republican Rep. Nancy Mace suggested Cheatle begin drafting her resignation letter during the hearing, Cheatle responded, “No, thank you.”
The July 13 Incident and Its Aftermath
On July 13, the 20-year-old shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, managed to get within 135 meters (157 yards) of the stage where Trump was speaking before opening fire. This incident occurred despite heightened security due to a prior threat on Trump’s life from Iran. Cheatle admitted that the Secret Service had received multiple warnings about a suspicious person before the rally and had identified the roof from which Crooks fired as a potential vulnerability. However, she could not explain why no agents were stationed on the roof.
Trump was quickly escorted off the stage by Secret Service agents, and snipers killed the shooter. The attack resulted in the former president sustaining a pierced ear, the death of one rallygoer, and critical injuries to two others. Cheatle reiterated the gravity of the security lapse, telling the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, “The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on July 13th is the most significant operational failure at the Secret Service in decades. As the Director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse.”
Details continue to emerge about the events of that day and the roles of both the Secret Service and local authorities in the security arrangements. The agency typically collaborates with local law enforcement to secure event perimeters. Former top Secret Service agents have criticized the handling of the incident, stating that the gunman should never have gained access to the roof.
Two days after the shooting, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas expressed his full support for Cheatle, saying, “I support Cheatle 100%.” However, calls for accountability came from across the political spectrum, with congressional committees launching investigations and issuing subpoenas. Top Republican leaders in both the House and Senate demanded Cheatle’s resignation, and President Biden ordered an independent review of the rally’s security.
In an interview with ABC News two days after the shooting, Cheatle stated she had no plans to resign, calling the shooting “unacceptable” and emphasizing the Secret Service’s responsibility for the former president’s protection: “The buck stops with me. I am the director of the Secret Service.”
Cheatle’s Career and Legacy
Kimberly Cheatle served in the Secret Service for 27 years before taking a security executive position at PepsiCo in 2021. President Biden asked her to return in 2022 to lead the agency, which has a workforce of 7,800 special agents, uniformed officers, and other staff. She took on this role amid controversy over missing text messages from the time of the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
During her tenure, Cheatle was the first woman to be named assistant director of protective operations, overseeing a $133.5 million budget for the division responsible for protecting the president and other dignitaries. She became the second woman to lead the agency. President Biden, upon her appointment, praised her judgment and counsel, noting her service on his detail when he was vice president.
Cheatle’s resignation marks a significant moment for the Secret Service as it grapples with the fallout from the July 13 assassination attempt. The agency faces continued scrutiny and the challenge of restoring confidence in its ability to protect current and former presidents during a crucial period in American politics.
