Kimberly Cheatle, the Director of the U.S. Secret Service, announced her resignation this Tuesday following intense scrutiny over the agency’s failure to prevent an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
Cheatle, who had previously admitted to the significant operational failure during an attack on Trump, faced mounting pressure from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers calling for her resignation.
The incident that led to her resignation occurred on July 13th at a rally in Pennsylvania, where a 20-year-old man managed to wound the Republican presidential candidate by shooting him in the ear.
Despite being outside the security perimeter, the assailant was positioned on a rooftop approximately 140 meters from Trump. Witnesses had alerted the Secret Service about the suspicious presence of the shooter two minutes before he fired, leading to questions about the agency’s response time.
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Congressional Hearing and Public Statements
During a subsequent hearing in front of a House of Representatives committee, Cheatle described the event as the agency’s “most significant operational failure” in decades. She assumed “full responsibility” for the security lapse and pledged cooperation with ongoing investigations into the incident.
The hearing saw Republican members express frustration as Cheatle refrained from answering most questions, citing ongoing investigations.
The day before her resignation, Cheatle faced intense questioning by the committee. House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized that Cheatle’s resignation was necessary to begin the process of rebuilding public trust in the Secret Service.
The Department of Homeland Security has since initiated an independent investigation, as ordered by President Joe Biden, involving members from both parties, expected to conclude within 45 days.
Kimberly Cheatle, From PepsiCo to the Secret Service
Before leading the Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle served as the Senior Director of Global Security at PepsiCo. In this role, she was pivotal in directing security protocols across North America, focusing on risk management and mitigation strategies. This corporate experience enriched her perspective on security, providing a broad foundation for her subsequent roles in national security.
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Kimberly Cheatle’s career with the Secret Service spans over 27 years, during which she has held several key positions, showcasing her commitment and expertise in protective operations. Before her current role, she was the Assistant Director of the Office of Protective Operations, managing a budget of $133.5 million and working collaboratively across multiple divisions to enhance security measures for protected individuals and locations.
Her prior roles include serving as the Special Agent in Charge at the Atlanta Field Office and later at the James J. Rowley Training Center, where she directed training and career development. Her tenure at the Office of Strategic Planning and Policy also highlights her focus on innovation and communication within the agency.
