U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly A. Cheatle resigned on Tuesday following a failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Cheatle’s resignation comes amid bipartisan criticism and a federal investigation into the incident that occurred on July 13.
In her resignation email to Secret Service staff, Cheatle took full responsibility for the security lapse.
She stated, “The Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders. On July 13, we failed,” Ms Cheatle said as she was questioned by the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
“As Director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse,” she added.
The resignation followed intense questioning by the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, where lawmakers from both parties demanded her resignation.
Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, and other lawmakers criticized Cheatle’s leadership.
Republican Representative James R. Comer, Chairman of the committee, labeled the Secret Service as the “face of incompetence,” and Representative Jim Jordan accused the agency of “cutting corners.”
The assassination attempt involved 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Pennsylvania, who opened fire at a Trump campaign event.
A bullet grazed Trump’s ear, resulting in the death of one attendee, Corey Comperatore, and injuries to two others. The shooter was quickly subdued by Secret Service agents.
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