Resignation of Kimberly Cheatle shakes security in the US following the attack on Trump

The resignation of Kimberly Cheatle, the first woman to lead the United States Secret Service, has caused a political earthquake following security failures that allowed an attack on former President Donald Trump on July 13th. Cheatle resigned after facing harsh criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers during a lengthy hearing in the House of Representatives, where she was being urged to take responsibility for the incident. During the questioning, the now former director of the Secret Service defended the work of the agents under her command but acknowledged that the attack on Trump was "the most significant operational failure of the Secret Service in decades." The situation unfolded when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crook shot a rifle from a nearby rooftop at Trump's campaign rally in Pennsylvania, injuring the former president in the right ear, causing the death of one person, and injuring two others. In her resignation letter, Cheatle took "full responsibility for the security failure" and chose to leave her position to avoid distractions within the Secret Service, a decision that has been supported by President Joe Biden. Cheatle, appointed by Biden in September 2022, had a 27-year extensive career in the agency, having held various roles and standing out for her involvement in key operations such as protecting then-Vice President Dick Cheney after the September 11, 2001 attacks. President Biden praised Cheatle's dedication and bravery throughout her career in the Secret Service, thanking her for taking on the agency's leadership during his administration. However, the former official became embroiled in a controversial hearing in the House of Representatives, where lawmakers expressed frustration at her refusal to answer questions about the shooting at Trump's rally in Pennsylvania. During the hearing, it was revealed that witnesses saw Thomas Matthew Crooks with a rifle on a rooftop near the rally location before the shots were fired, and he was shot by a sniper shortly after the attack. Despite acknowledging security failures, Cheatle rejected calls for resignation, describing the incident as the worst operational failure of the Secret Service in decades and without providing details on how Crooks managed to access the location from where he carried out the attack. The incident, which left Trump with a superficial ear wound, has sparked a wave of criticism towards the Biden/Harris administration, with the former president accusing Cheatle and her team of not ensuring his security adequately. Cheatle's resignation highlights the importance of the security of political leaders and the constant pressure faced by the agencies responsible for their protection, raising questions about security protocols and the changes that could be implemented to prevent future incidents of this nature.