Kimberly Cheatle, Director of the United States Secret Service, has submitted her resignation amidst public outcry stemming from a failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The news was first reported by NBC News, attributing the information to anonymous sources. The resignation came a day after Cheatle was harshly criticised by a House Committee during a hearing examining the Secret Service’s actions leading up to Trump’s July 13 rally in Butler Township, Pennsylvania.
During the hearing, Cheatle defied calls for her resignation, asserting that she was the most qualified individual to lead the Secret Service. The agency, responsible for the protection of sitting and former presidents, vice president, family members, and influential presidential candidates, had come under heavy criticism for its lax security measures during the rally.
Former President Trump, currently the Republican nominee, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt when 20-year-old gunman Thomas Crooks, whom the Secret Service had previously identified as a suspicious individual, opened fire. Crooks was killed by a Secret Service sniper after shooting multiple rounds at Trump. The incident resulted in the death of one rally attendee and critical injuries to two others.
The Secret Service has faced increased scrutiny in recent years due to a series of scandals and operational missteps. Earlier, the agency took responsibility for incorrectly stating that it had not rejected requests from Trump’s campaign for enhanced security.