Secret Service chief resigns after pressure over Trump assassination security failures

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has resigned Tuesday, following pressure from lawmakers for security failures during an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

Citing sources, CNN said Cheatle tendered her resignation amid scrutiny of security lapses related to the July 13 assassination attempt.

Cheatle was grilled by lawmakers in the House of Representatives on the timeline of the shooting during a hearing Monday, and faced demands from several members to step down.

During the hearing, Cheatle called the assassination attempt "the most significant operational failure" of the Secret Service.

She said the agency's mission is to protect US leaders and added: "On the 13th, we failed. As a director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse of our agency."

In addition, Republican House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, and ranking member Jamie Raskin, demanded Cheatle resign Monday in a bipartisan statement.

US President Joe Biden said Cheatle "selflessly dedicated and risked her life to protect our nation throughout her career in the United States Secret Service."

"As a leader, it takes honor, courage, and incredible integrity to take full responsibility for an organization tasked with one of the most challenging jobs in public service," he said in a statement.

He noted that an independent review to get to the bottom of what happened July 13 continues, saying: "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," he added.