Secret Service chief Kimberly Cheatle resigns over Trump shooting: Reports

Summary

The head of the US Secret Service has resigned following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, which occurred at a rally in Pennsylvania. The resignation comes amidst heavy criticism from Congress after the agency's operational failure on July 13th. The incident marks the first attempted presidential assassination since 1981 and has prompted calls for her dismissal from both the House oversight committee and the Senate. President Biden, who appointed her in 2021, has acknowledged her resignation and the search for a replacement is expected to be swift, given the critical role of the Secret Service during the upcoming national election.

Takeaways

• 📜 The head of the US Secret Service has resigned following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
• 🗓️ The resignation occurred 10 days after the attack and a day after the Secret Service testified to Congress about the incident.
• 🔍 The July 13th attack was described as the agency's biggest operational failure in decades.
• 🔑 There has been growing pressure for her resignation due to perceived evasiveness and lack of security during the rally.
• 🔴 Both houses of Congress expressed anger and called for her resignation or firing.
• 🚨 The investigation into the shooting was said to take up to two months, causing further frustration.
• 🎯 The Secret Service had received information about a possible threat against Trump days before the attack.
• 🏢 The gunman was able to fire from a roof that was not secured by the Secret Service, which was a point of contention.
• 🤝 President Biden, who appointed her in 2021, expressed gratitude for her service despite the resignation.
• 🔄 The resignation comes at a critical time before the election, emphasizing the importance of a swift replacement.
• 🕰️ It is expected that the replacement for the director of the Secret Service will be announced soon by President Biden.

Q & A

Why did the head of the US Secret Service resign?

The head of the US Secret Service resigned due to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, which occurred 10 days prior, and the growing pressure from members of Congress after the agency's biggest operational failure in decades.

What was the date of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump mentioned in the script?

The assassination attempt on Donald Trump took place on July 13th.

How did the members of Congress react to the Secret Service director's testimony?

The members of Congress were very angry and the questioning from both sides was incredibly hostile, with calls for her resignation.

What was the director's response to the criticism regarding the investigation into the shooting?

The director insisted that the investigation could take up to two months and that the results of the formal investigation would need to be awaited.

When was the last attempted assassination of a US president before the incident with Donald Trump?

The last attempted assassination of a US president before the incident with Donald Trump was in 1981 when Ronald Reagan was shot.

What specific detail about the security failure during the shooting was highlighted in the script?

The roof from which the gunman shot Trump was not secured by the Secret Service, and it was only 135 yards (or approximately 150 feet) away from the actual shooting.

What was the reaction of President Biden to the resignation of the Secret Service director?

President Biden expressed a message of gratitude to the director, who he had appointed in 2021 and who had served on his detail since he became president.

How long has the resigned director been a veteran within the Secret Service?

The resigned director has been a veteran of nearly 30 years within the Secret Service.

What is the significance of the timing of the director's resignation in relation to the upcoming election?

The timing of the director's resignation is significant as it is a critical time in the run-up to the election, and the new director will play a crucial role in ensuring security during this period of immense political divide.

What is expected to happen regarding the appointment of a new director for the Secret Service?

It is expected that the replacement for the director of the Secret Service will be announced very soon, as the position is incredibly important, and the appointment is closely watched, especially during a national election.