Kimberly Cheatle, the United States Secret Service Director, resigned yesterday as she failed to protect former President Donald Trump.
In an email to staff, Cheatle said she takes “full responsibility” for the security lapse and added, “In light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision to step down as your Director” according to reports from AP and other outlets.
President Joe Biden expressed gratitude, saying, “Director Kim Cheatle for her decades of public service. She has selflessly dedicated and risked her life to protect our nation throughout her career in the United States Secret Service.” He plans to appoint a new director for the Secret Service.
Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, “The Biden/Harris Administration did not properly protect me, and I was forced to take a bullet for Democracy, and I had to take a bullet for democracy.” At the end, he wrote in all caps, “IT WAS MY GREAT HONOR TO DO SO!“
Trump gained an injury to the upper part of his right ear during the shooting at an outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. As the Secret Service responsible for Trump’s security, they confirmed that the shooter was on the roof of a building near the rally site. They faced strong criticism for failing to protect him.
Republican House Speaker Mark Johnson described Cheatle’s resignation as overdue and stated it should have occurred a week earlier, saying, “Now we need to pick up the pieces.”
Cheatle had testified the day before at the House Oversight Committee hearing, calling the assassination attempt on Trump “most significant operational failure” and admitting responsibility. However, she insisted she is the “best person to lead the Secret Service at this time,” stating she would “do everything possible” to prevent a recurrence.
Previously, Republican lawmakers and some Democrats demanded her resignation for accountability.
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