Kim Cheatle has taken full responsibility for the security lapse which led to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, former US president. She has formally resigned from her post.
While investigations are on into the 13 July incident where Trump was shot at and injured in one ear, Cheatle has been temporarily replaced by Ronald Rowe, as acting director.
While Cheatle’s association with the Secret Service is over 27 years old, she began overseeing the safety and protection of current and former presidents and various officials only in 2022.
The incident that resulted in the demanded for her resignation saw Trump hurt, along with one person in the audience dead and two badly injured. Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspect, was eventually killed by sniper at the rally. However, how Crooks managed to position himself on the rooftop from where he shot at Trump remains a mystery.
Cheatle did not at first given in to the pressure to resign although she did take responsibility for the gaps in security. Her reluctance to discuss the shooting incident had earned the ire of lawmakers. Cheatle reportedly resigned so that the demand for resignation does not distract the agency from its mission.
Till a new director is appointed by President Biden, Rowe, who has been with the Secret Service for about 24 years and has been serving as deputy director for the year, will be taking on the responsibilities. This temporary appointment has been authorized by Alejandro Mayorkas, secretary, Homeland Security.