Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle announced she is stepping down following her testimony on Trump's attempted assassination.

Reuters

Karah Rucker Anchor

Politics

Secret Service Director Cheatle resigns after testimony on assassination attempt

Jul 23, 2024

Karah Rucker Anchor

By Karah Rucker (Anchor), Ian Kennedy (Video Editor)

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle announced she is stepping down from her job in an email on Tuesday, July 23. Cheatle testified in front of Congress on Monday about the Secret Service’s response to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

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Cheatle’s testimony led to frustration from both sides of the aisle, where she was often unable or unwilling to answer House representatives’ questions.

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“I’m unable to answer details of exactly how the individual accessed the roof at this time,” Cheatle said.

Before her testimony, many had already been calling for Cheatle to step down. Following her appearance in front of Congress, more lawmakers began to express that sentiment.

“If you have an assassination attempt on a president, a former president or a candidate, you need to resign,” Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said.

“It is my firm belief, Director Cheatle, that you should resign,” Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said.

Cheatle was first appointed by President Joe Biden in 2022. Originally, Cheatle was adamant that she would not step down from her position as director following the assassination attempt.

“I think that I am the best person to lead the Secret Service at this time,” she told lawmakers.

Cheatle announced her resignation in an email to employees, according to The Associated Press.

“In light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision to step down as your director,” the email read. “The Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders and financial infrastructure. On July 13, we fell short on that mission.”

It has been disclosed that officials at the Secret Service had denied requests from Trump’s campaign for increased protection in the two years leading up to the shooting. However, before the shooting, protection for Trump was increased due to an alleged assassination threat from an Iranian group.

During the shooting, Trump and two people were injured and one person was killed.

Tags: Donald Trump, James Comer, Joe Biden, Kimberly Cheatle, Ro Khanna, U.S. Congress, United States Secret Service

[KARAH RUCKER]

SECRET SERVICE DIRECTOR KIMBERLY CHEATLE HAS RESIGNED.

IT’S A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT JUST ONE DAY SINCE CHEATLE’S TESTIMONY ON CAPITOL HILL –

AND 10 DAYS SINCE THE EVENT THAT SPARKED SERIOUS QUESTIONS OVER THE AGENCY’S OPERATIONS –

THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AT A PENNSYLVANIA RALLY

IN HER RESIGNATION LETTER TO SECRET SERVICE STAFF –

CHEATLE WROTE –

In light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that, I have made the difficult decision to step down as your Director. The Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders and financial infrastructure. On July 13th, we fell short on that mission.

The scrutiny over the last week has been intense and will continue to remain as our operational tempo increases. As your Director, I take full responsibility for the security lapse.

SINCE THE CLOSE CALL ON TRUMP’S LIFE –

THERE HAVE BEEN GROWING CALLS FOR CHEATLE’S RESIGNATION.

BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ALIKE ARE CALLING FOR MORE ACCOUNTABILITY AFTER MANY OF THEIR QUESTIONS ON MONDAY –

WENT UNANSWERED IN CHEATLE’S HEATED TESTIMONY.

LABEL: KIMBERLY CHEATLE | SECRET SERVICE DIRECTOR

“I’m unable to answer details of exactly how the individual accessed the roof at this time.”

“I personally do not review security plans for events that take place across the country.”

LABEL: REP. JAMES COMER | R-KY

“It is my firm belief, Director Cheatle, that you should resign,.”

LABEL: REP. RO KHANNA | D-CA

“If you have an assassination attempt on a president, a former president or a candidate, you need to resign.”

[KARAH RUCKER]

IN tv INTERVIEWS LEADING UP TO HER TESTIMONY IN FRONT OF CONGRESS –

CHEATLE SAID WHAT HAPPENED TO TRUMP AND THE PROTECTION FAILURES AROUND HIM WERE “UNACCEPTABLE.”

CHEATLE SAID “THE BUCK – STOPS WITH HER.”

THERE’S SEVERAL INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO WHEN SHOTS WERE FIRED –

INCLUDING A NEWLY ALIGNED JOINT TASK FORCE BY REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC LEADERS IN THE HOUSE.

WHILE THE DIRECTOR’S RESIGNATION IS THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT –

THIS STORY STILL HAS MORE UNFOLDING TO COME.

I’M KARAH RUCKER.

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Secret Service Director Cheatle resigns after testimony on assassination attempt

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