The Director of the US Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, has resigned.
In her resignation letter to staff, Cheatle said that the Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders and financial infrastructure, stating, “On July 13th, we fell short on that mission.”
She added, “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.”
“The Secret Service will move forward with our investigatory and protective mission in a steadfast manner. We do not retreat from challenge. However, I do not want my calls for resignation to be a distraction from the great work each and every one of you do towards our vital mission … In light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that, I have made the difficult decision to step down as your Director.”
Kimberly Cheatle
Cheatle’s resignation comes a day after making an appearance before the House oversight committee, where lawmakers from both parties signaled frustration with her inability to answer many questions about the shooting that wounded Donald Trump, killed an attender and wounded two others at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The gunman who tried to take Trump’s life had seemingly dodged all the security around the former US President with ease and was able to open fire from a roof near the stage on which Trump was speaking.
James Comer, the Republican chair of the House oversight committee, said the Secret Service director, Kimberly Cheatle, “instilled no confidence that she has the ability to ensure the Secret Service can meet its protective mission” when she appeared before his committee.
“The Oversight Committee’s hearing resulted in Director Cheatle’s resignation and there will be more accountability to come. The Secret Service has a no-fail mission yet it failed historically on Director Cheatle’s watch,” Comer said.
U.S President, Joe Biden issued a statement accepting Cheatle’s resignation.
Speaking on behalf of his wife Jill, the first lady, and himself, Biden thanked Cheatle for her tenure as Director of the Secret Service.
“As a leader, it takes honour, courage, and incredible integrity to take full responsibility for an organisation tasked with one of the most challenging jobs in public service,” Biden said.
“The independent review to get to the bottom of what happened on July 13 continues, and I look forward to assessing its conclusions. We all know what happened that day can never happen again.
“As we move forward, I wish Kim all the best, and I will plan to appoint a new Director soon.”
Joe Biden
Trump responded to Tuesday’s news with a post on his Truth Social network, in which he attempted to blame Biden and Kamala Harris for the assassination attempt.
“The Biden/Harris Administration did not properly protect me, and I was forced to take a bullet for Democracy,” he wrote.
He added, “IT WAS MY GREAT HONOR TO DO SO!”
Also in reaction to Cheatle’s resignation, the Republican Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, said that it was overdue, and promised to continue investigating the security failures that allowed the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
Ronald Rowe Appointed To Serve As Acting Director
The Deputy Director of the Secret Service, Ronald Rowe, has been appointed to serve as acting Director of the agency after Kimberly Cheatle’s resignation.
A statement from the homeland security secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, said, “A 24-year veteran of the Secret Service, [Rowe] previously served as the agency’s Assistant Director for the Office of Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs, Deputy Assistant Director for the Office of Protective Operations, and in other leadership positions.”
“I appreciate his willingness to lead the Secret Service at this incredibly challenging moment, as the agency works to get to the bottom of exactly what happened on July 13 and cooperate with ongoing investigations and Congressional oversight,” he added.
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