Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned following her hearing before the House Oversight Committee.
Both Republicans and Democrats called for her resignation, with Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) and ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) issuing a letter on the subject.
Rep. Nick Langwothy (R-NY) also revealed a resolution calling for Cheatle to be fired.
In a statement over Cheatle’s resignation, Comer said, “The Oversight Committee’s hearing resulted in Director Cheatle’s resignation and there will be more accountability to come. The Secret Service has a no-fail mission yet it failed historically on Director Cheatle’s watch. At yesterday’s Oversight Committee hearing, Director Cheatle instilled no confidence that she has the ability to ensure the Secret Service can meet its protective mission.”
“Egregious security failures leading up to and at the Butler, Pennsylvania campaign rally resulted in the assassination attempt of President Trump, the murder of an innocent victim, and harm to others in the crowd,” he said. “While Director Cheatle’s resignation is a step toward accountability, we need a full review of how these security failures happened so that we can prevent them going forward. We will continue our oversight of the Secret Service in support of the House Task Force to deliver transparency, accountability, and solutions to ensure this never happens again.”
In an email sent to Secret Service employees and reviewed by Fox News, Cheatle wrote, “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,” adding, “On July 13th, we fell short on that mission.”
Cheatle wrote that she takes “full responsibility for the security lapse.”
“We remain an organization based on integrity and staffed by individuals of exceptional dedication and talent,” she noted, explaining that the Secret Service will “move forward with our investigatory and protective mission in a steadfast manner.”
“We do not retreat from challenge,” she wrote in the letter. “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.”
“I love this agency, our mission, and the great men and women who sacrifice so much every day,” Cheatle added. “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.”
