Embattled Secret Service chief Kimberly Cheatle has announced her resignation less than two weeks after the agency’s failure at Donald Trump’s rally resulted in the former president being wounded by an assassin’s bullet. Cheatle, a 28-year veteran of the agency, faced pressure to step down but maintained she would remain in her role until recently resigning in a letter to agency staffers. She stated that she made the difficult decision to step down in the best interest of the agency, expressing a desire to avoid distractions from the agency’s vital mission.
Following the rally shooting, Cheatle faced criticism for a series of missteps that raised questions about her fitness for the position. She admitted to ABC News that Secret Service agents weren’t posted on the sloped roof from which the assassin fired because of safety concerns, allowing the assailant to have a clear line of sight to Trump. Despite acknowledging the agency’s failure in securing the rally, Cheatle still graded her agents with an “A” for their response that day. Lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Nancy Mace, had differing views on whether Cheatle should be impeached, with Johnson stating impeachment was not an option for issues of incompetency.
The resignation of Cheatle was announced during a House Oversight Committee meeting, with Johnson joking that Cheatle must have been watching the press conference, implying the resignation was the right decision. Johnson expressed that Cheatle’s resignation was overdue and should have happened sooner. The resignation came after mounting pressure and criticisms regarding the agency’s handling of the rally shooting, which resulted in injuries to Trump, supporters, and a firefighter.
Cheatle’s resignation comes in the aftermath of the first assassination attempt against a sitting or former US president since 1981, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. The agency’s failure to adequately secure the event and prevent the assailant from firing on Trump’s rally raised concerns about the Secret Service’s readiness and effectiveness. Cheatle’s admission to the media and lawmakers about the lapses in security further fueled calls for her resignation, leading to her decision to step down to avoid further distractions and allow the agency to focus on their mission.
As the story continues to develop, updates will be provided on the situation involving Cheatle’s resignation and the aftermath of the rally shooting. The resignation marked the end of Cheatle’s 28-year career with the Secret Service, amid controversy and criticism over her handling of the agency’s response to the events surrounding the campaign rally. Cheatle’s decision to step down ultimately aimed to prioritize the needs of the agency and allow them to move forward from the recent events that have raised questions about their effectiveness in protecting high-profile individuals.
