July 24, (THEWILL) – US Secret Service Director, Kimberly Cheatle, on Tuesday, resigned amid widespread outrage over her agency’s failure to prevent the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign on July 13.
Cheatle’s resignation came a day after she was berated by members of the House committee at a hearing on the Secret Service’s actions leading up to the July 13 attack.
THEWILL had reported that Trump was rushed off-stage by security personnel following a gun attack during a rally at Butler in Pennsylvania. Although the attacker, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was immediately neutralised by a Secret Service sniper, in a post on his Truth Social network, Trump had said a bullet pierced the “upper part” of his right ear.
On Tuesday, Cheatle, in a letter to Secret Service staff, admitted 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.
“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,” the letter read.
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, has appointed Secret Service Deputy Director, Ronald Rowe, to serve as acting Director for the agency until a permanent director is selected by President Joe Biden.
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