JUST IN: Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle Resigns Following Trump Assassination Attempt

AP Photo/John McDonnell

Kimberly Cheatle, the embattled director of the Secret Service resigned Tuesday in an email to staff, first reported on by NBC News.

Cheatle’s resignation follows a widely panned House hearing on Monday into the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during an outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13. “I take full responsibility for the security lapse,” Cheatle wrote of the gunman in Pennsylvania firing a bullet that grazed Trump’s ear. “In light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision to step down as your director.”

Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and James Comer (R-KY)  both called for Cheatle to step aside after her testimony before the House Oversight Committee, which was marked by contentious exchanges and lawmakers’ frustrations regarding the clarity of explanations for exactly how a shooter could get so close to a presidential candidate.

“What is depressing is the extraordinary communications gap between the director of the Secret Service and Congress and I don’t want to add to the director’s terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day, but I will be joining the Chairman [Comer] in calling for the resignation of the director, just because I think that this relationship is irretrievable at this point,” Raskin said as he too joined the chorus for Cheatle to step aside.

Cheatle served in the Secret Service for 27 years before taking the top security job at PepsiCo and eventually being named director by President Biden in 2022.

Read Cheatle’s full email below:

To the Men and Women of the U.S. Secret Service,

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.

However, this incident does not define us. We remain an organization based on integrity and staffed by individuals of exceptional dedication and talent. As I’ve stated, the Secret Service will move forward with our investigatory and protective mission in a steadfast manner. We do not retreat from challenge. However, I do not want my calls for resignation to be a distraction from the great work each and every one of you do towards our vital mission.

When I got the call asking if I would return to the Secret Service after my brief retirement, I did not hesitate. I love this agency, our mission, and the great men and women who sacrifice so much every day. I have, and will always, put the needs of this agency first.

In light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that, I have made the difficult decision to step down as your Director.

When I assumed the role as your Director, I pledged to do so with honor and integrity. These values have guided my entire career for 29 years. As many of you know, I served as a special agent for 27 years – securing events for FPOTUS Clinton, working as a supervisor on VP Cheney’s detail, leading RTC, operating as the SAIC of ATL, supervising VP Biden’s detail, and finally overseeing the agency’s protective mission under the Trump Administration as AD-OPO.

As I stated in the hearing yesterday, all of you are worthy of trust and confidence. You deserve the nation’s support in carrying out our critical mission. One of my favorite things about this workforce is that the men and women are fiercely committed to our mission.

Thank you for all that you do, and will continue to do, for our great nation.

This is a developing story and will be updated.