Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers held a contentious hearing Monday and then called for the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Chettle.
U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has resigned amid widespread calls from lawmakers for her resignation following the assassination of former President Donald Trump, three sources said.
In her resignation letter, which was obtained by a senior official, Cheatle wrote that “scrutiny has been intense over the past week and will continue as we increase our operational tempo.” SSD Kimberly Cheatle added that she takes full responsibility for the security lapse.
“In the light of most recent events, it is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision to step down as your director,” wrote Chattel, who had been leading the agency since September 2022.
It is not clear yet when her last day will be.
In a statement, President Joe Biden thanked Cheatle for her service, saying he would “soon” appoint a successor to lead the Secret Service. After the assassination attempt on Trump, Biden ordered an independent review to examine what happened and said Tuesday he looked forward to reading its findings.
“We all know that what happened that day can never happen again,” President Joe Biden said.
In response to the news of her resignation, Trump wrote on TruthSocial: “The Biden/Harris administration did not protect me properly, and I was forced to take the bullet for democracy. It was an honor to do so!”
Both Democratic and Republican committee members said she should resign over her incompetence and lame excuses.
“You’re full today!” Rep. Nancy Mace, RS.C. said, criticizing SSD Kimberly Cheatle for dodging questions and being “totally dishonest” about her cooperation with the committee.
Chettle said the agency was reviewing the incident and did not have all the details about it. But Chettle said there was a “very short” period between when the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was identified as a possible suspect and when he began shooting from the roof at the July 13 rally.
After a Senate briefing Wednesday on the assassination, two sources familiar with the operation said the time window was 62 minutes.
The source also said that Secret Service agents saw Kroc on the roof 10 minutes before Trump took the stage and 20 minutes passed before he opened fire.
Trump has said he was shot above his right ear. A former firefighter, Corey Comparator, died of a gunshot wound. Two others were injured and hospitalized, and their condition has improved.