US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned on Tuesday, a day after facing intense scrutiny from a Congressional hearing regarding the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The attack occurred during a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, when a gunman fired at Trump from a rooftop.
The resignation came after Cheatle was grilled by lawmakers from both parties about the security failures surrounding the incident. The bipartisan criticism from James Comar, a Republican committee head, and Jamie Raskin, the Democratic ranking member, led to a joint call for her resignation.
The lawmakers expressed frustration over Cheatle's lack of answers concerning the operational failures and the failure to prevent the shooter from reaching the rally.
In a rare display of bipartisan unity, Comar and Raskin's letter demanded Cheatle's resignation, stating that her inability to address basic questions or reassure the public demonstrated a need for new leadership to address the crisis. Their letter underscored the importance of rebuilding trust in the Secret Service, which has been criticised for its handling of the situation.
President Joe Biden acknowledged Cheatle's resignation with a statement expressing gratitude for her service. He praised her dedication and bravery in protecting the nation and mentioned that an independent review of the July 13 incident is ongoing. Biden emphasised the importance of ensuring that such security lapses never occur again and indicated that a new Director would be appointed soon.
The attempted assassination on July 13 involved a lone gunman who shot at Trump, hitting his right ear. The Secret Service responded by neutralising the shooter with a single shot.
The incident has led to increased scrutiny of the Secret Service's operations, particularly in light of the fact that the shooter was reportedly visible to many at the rally and had been identified by perimeter security.
The US Secret Service, responsible for protecting current and former Presidents and their families, has faced significant challenges in recent decades. The last instance of a US President being shot was the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan in 1981, who survived the attack. Earlier tragedies include the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert F. Kennedy, and Abraham Lincoln.
Cheatle's resignation marks a critical moment for the Secret Service as it faces public and governmental pressure to address the failures exposed by the recent security breach. The agency's leadership transition will be closely watched as it works to restore confidence and enhance its protective measures.
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