US Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle resigns after Trump’s assassination attempt

Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the United States’ Secret Service, stepped down from her position, according to an email she sent to staff, as reported by Associated Press. Her resignation follows the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, which sparked intense scrutiny and criticism regarding the agency’s ability to fulfil its core mission of protecting current and former presidents.

Her resignation comes a day after a tense and contentious hearing before the House Oversight Committee on Monday, where she faced criticism over the agency’s handling of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. The US Secret Service Director described the attempt on Trump’s life as the Secret Service’s “most significant operational failure” in decades and took full responsibility for the lapses.

In her resignation email, stating, “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.”

Cheatle served as Secret Service director since August 2022, faced mounting calls to resign and several investigations into how the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, managed to get so close to Trump during an outdoor campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 13.

The shooting incident involved Crooks, who was able to get within 135 metres (157 yards) of the stage where Trump was speaking. This breach occurred despite heightened security measures due to a prior threat on Trump’s life from Iran.