The director of the Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, has resigned following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Cheatle's decision to step down was communicated to staff through an email, in which she expressed her deep regret and took full responsibility for the security lapse that allowed the attack to happen.
Cheatle has been the director of the Secret Service since August 2022. Her resignation follows intense scrutiny and criticism over the agency's failure to protect Trump during an outdoor campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Despite receiving threats against Trump from Iran, which led to increased security measures, the shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, managed to get within 135 meters of the stage and open fire.
In her email, Cheatle described the incident as the "most significant operational failure" in the Secret Service's recent history. She acknowledged the growing calls for her resignation and the multiple investigations into the security breaches. Cheatle's resignation came a day after she appeared before a congressional committee, where she faced bipartisan criticism for the agency's failures and for not providing specific answers about the ongoing investigation.
The assassination attempt on Trump has raised serious questions about the Secret Service's ability to fulfill its core mission of protecting current and former presidents.
