USA Head of the Secret Service resigns after Trump assassination attempt
The head of the Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, is leaving her post following the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump. The White House confirmed the resignation in a statement. Cheatle had come under pressure since the gun attack in the US state of Pennsylvania in which Trump was injured.
23.07.2024, 17:13
SDA
Just over a week ago, a gunman opened fire at a Republican Party campaign rally in the town of Butler and shot Trump. One visitor to the rally died and two others were injured. Trump was injured in his right ear. The perpetrator was killed by security forces.
Secret Service is responsible for protecting high-ranking politicians
At a hearing in the US Congress on Monday, Cheatle admitted that the service had failed. She said that she took full responsibility and would do everything in her power to ensure that such an incident did not happen again. The Secret Service is responsible for protecting high-ranking politicians in the USA, including current and former presidents.
In recent days, there had been criticism of the Secret Service's approach because the shooter was able to get onto a roof with a direct view of the stage despite all the security measures. There were also reports that the young man's behavior had already attracted the attention of security officials before Trump's appearance, but that the former president was still allowed to enter the stage.
Head of the Secret Service admitted mistakes
Cheatle described the attack as the worst failure of the Secret Service in decades. At the same time, however, she withheld details on Monday, citing ongoing investigations.
The chairman of the oversight committee in the House of Representatives, Republican James Comer, said that the attack could have been prevented. Cheatle did not deserve to keep her post at the head of the agency. Democratic Deputy Leader Jamie Raskin, meanwhile, pointed out that gun attacks happened too often in America.
Biden: Cheatle has selflessly dedicated himself to protecting the USA
US President Joe Biden thanked Cheatle for "her decades of dedication to public service". "Throughout her career with the Secret Service, she has selflessly dedicated herself to protecting our nation and risked her life," the Democrat wrote. Being a leader requires honor, courage and incredible integrity. Biden announced that the investigation into the background to the assassination attempt on Trump would continue. "We all know that what happened that day must never happen again."
