In a dramatic turn of events, Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the US Secret Service, has tendered her resignation, according to a report by CNN. This decision comes in the wake of an attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this month.
The resignation follows intense scrutiny from lawmakers and an internal government watchdog investigating the agency’s handling of Trump’s safety. The incident, which took place on July 13, involved a gunman who nearly succeeded in killing Trump, then a Republican presidential candidate for Pennsylvania.
The shooting incident has sparked a bipartisan outcry, with members of Congress demanding Cheatle’s resignation. House Republicans had been particularly vocal, pressing for her impeachment in the aftermath of the attack. Cheatle’s resignation was further fuelled by her Monday public hearing before the House Oversight Committee, where her refusal to answer several questions left lawmakers outraged.
During her testimony, Cheatle acknowledged “significant” and “colossal” issues with the rally’s security but initially refused to step down.
“I think I am the best person to lead the Secret Service at this time,” Cheatle asserted on Monday. However, her stance was met with increasing pressure, culminating in her eventual resignation. US House Speaker Mike Johnson remarked that the resignation was “overdue.”
Cheatle, who was appointed by President Joe Biden to head the Secret Service in 2022, had previously stated her intent to remain in her position despite the security lapse. In an interview with CNN last week, she admitted that the Secret Service was “solely responsible” for the security planning and execution at the Pennsylvania rally. The rally saw a gunman, identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, open fire from an unguarded rooftop near the stage.
The attack resulted in the death of one rally-goer and injuries to several others. Trump narrowly escaped harm, with a bullet grazing the upper part of his right ear. The incident occurred as Trump was addressing the crowd, leading to a swift response from Secret Service agents who stormed the stage.
Following the shooting, Trump described the harrowing experience, noting how close he came to being fatally injured. The FBI’s identification of the shooter as Crooks has since raised questions about the security measures in place and the potential oversight that allowed such a breach.
Cheatle’s resignation marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Secret Service’s protocols and the broader implications for the agency’s leadership and operational effectiveness. As the probes continue, the focus will likely remain on ensuring robust security measures for high-profile political figures and preventing similar incidents in the future.
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