US Secret Service boss resigns after Trump shooting
July 23, 2024
Kimberly Cheatle, the head of the US Secret Service, is stepping down in the wake of the July 13 assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump at a rally.
Cheatle admitted the service had failed in its efforts around the rally of former President Donald TrumpImage: Kevin Mohatt/REUTERS
Cheatle had faced bipartisan calls to quit when questioned on security protocol around the July 13 Republican campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
What we know about the resignation
The resignation comes a day after Cheatle appeared before a congressional committee, where both Democrats and Republicans had berated her over the security failures.
"I take full responsibility for the security lapse," she said in an email to staff, the AP news agency reported. "In light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision to step down as your director."
At the hearing, Cheatle admitted the attempt on Trump's life represented the Secret Service's "most significant operational failure" in decades.
US Secret Service chief resigns: DW's Ines Pohl
01:38
This browser does not support the video element.
But while Cheatle said she took full responsibility for lapses, she angered lawmakers by not answering specific questions about what had happened. Instead, she cited multiple investigations that were underway.
"It is overdue, she should have done this at least a week ago," said Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives. "I'm happy to see that she has heeded the call of both Republicans and Democrats."
Cheatle had served as a Secret Service agent for 27 years before leaving in 2021 to become head of security in North America for PepsiCo. US President Joe Biden named her to head the agency in 2022.
Biden said he was grateful for Secret Service Director Cheatle's decades of public service and that he would soon appoint a new leader for the agency
Advertisement
What happened at the rally?
The 20-year-old shooter was within 135 meters (157 yards) of the stage where the former president was speaking. He opened fire with an AR-style assault rifle within minutes of Trump beginning to speak.
Trump was grazed in the right ear and one rally attendee was killed in the gunfire, with two more seriously wounded. The gunman was shot and killed by a Secret Service sniper less than 30 seconds after firing the first of eight shots.
Trump rally shooting: How it unfolded in pictures
A shooting at Donald Trump‘s rally in Pennsylvania caused shock around the United States and the world. Here's a look at how it unfolded.
Image: Brendan McDermid/REUTERS
Shots fired
A series of shots rang out during Donald Trump's presidential campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Secret Service agents quickly ran onto the stage and surrounded Trump, who dropped down at the podium.
Image: Gene J. Puskar/AP Photos/picture alliance
Secret Service rushes to the scene
The moment a series of shots rang out, Donald Trump could be seen touching his right ear. Then Secret Service agents rushed to the stage and pulled down the former president. They huddled over him while other security officials secured the venue.
Image: Evan Vucci/AP Photos/picture alliance
Donald Trump hit on upper right ear
After surrounding Trump, Secret Service agents helped the former president to his feet. Streaks of blood could be seen smeared across his face. Trump pumped his fist towards the crowd, mouthing "fight, fight, fight." Many in the crowd chanted, "USA, USA."
Image: REUTERS
Trump strikes a defiant pose
After Secret Service agents helped Trump to his feet, the former president raised his fist in the air in a defiant gesture. While blood was streaked on his face, he could be seen telling the crowd to "fight, fight". Images of the moment, captured here by AP photographer Evan Vucci, quickly circulated on social media as many Republicans saw it as a defining moment of the Trump election.
Image: Evan Vucci/AP Photo/picture alliance
Scene of the crime: An outdoor rally in Pennsylvania
Trump had just started his speech at an outdoor campaign when the shots rang out. He had been talking about migrants. One eyewitness told the Reuters news agency that, at first, it sounded like fireworks, but then people began screaming. "Everyone started panicking. It was chaos," he said.
Image: Evan Vucci/AP Photo/picture alliance
Shock and fear in the crowd
One person in the crowd was killed, and two were seriously injured, security officials said. A doctor in the crowd rushed to aid one of the injured. Speaking to reporters afterword, the doctor said the person had been shot in the head. The death was later confirmed.
Image: Brendan McDermid/REUTERS
Shock around the world
The news of what the FBI said was an "assassination attempt" made headlines around the world. In the US, President Joe Biden said he was relieved Trump was safe. He condemned the attack, "There's no place in America for this kind of violence." Vice President Kamals Harris, who was also campaigning in Pennsylvania, condemned the "abhorrent act."
Image: Brian Snyder/REUTERS
Joe Biden: 'Sick' attempt on Trump's life
US President Joe Biden returned to Washington from his beach house in Delaware and also spoke with Donald Trump after he was released from the hospital. Biden said he was grateful to the Secret Service for getting Trump to safety. Referring to the attack, he wrote on Twitter, "It's sick. It's sick. It's one of the reasons why we have to unite this country."
Image: Tom Brenner/REUTERS
Guarding elected officials
Police officers from Rehoboth Beach in Delaware guard the town hall where US President Joe Biden gave a speech condemning the attack on his likely rival in upcoming presidential elections.
Image: Tom Brenner/REUTERS
FBI: No other 'existing threat out there'
Several hours after the shooting, the FBI took over the lead in the investigation. The FBI has since confirmed an "assassination attempt" on Trump and that they had identified the shooter. Special Agent Kevin Rojek said officials were "working feverishly" on the case. The FBI said it had "no reason" to believe that a further threat existed.
Image: Brendan McDermid/REUTERS
Extra security
Police in New York City stood guard in front of Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan. After he left the hospital, Donald Trump was expected to spend the night at his home in New Jersey, The New York Times reported.
Image: David Dee Delgado/REUTERS
Most serious assassination attempt since 1981
Members of the Secret Service patrolled the grounds in Pennsylvania where Donald Trump had earlier been shot. The attack was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since 1981, when Ronald Reagan was shot.
Image: Brendan McDermid/REUTERS
12 images1 | 12
Investigators have concluded the shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, acted alone. They have not been able to identify any strong ideological or political motive.
