Biden Praises Secret Service Chief Amid Resignation Following Security Breach

President Joe Biden praised Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle for her “decades of public service” following her resignation amid heavy scrutiny over a recent security breach at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Cheatle stepped down after facing intense bipartisan pressure during a House Oversight hearing on Monday.

Cheatle informed her staff of the decision via email, stating, “The Secret Service’s duty is to protect our leaders, and on July 13th, we did not meet that standard. I take full responsibility for this failure.” Initially, Cheatle had resisted calls to resign but eventually conceded due to the mounting criticism.

During her testimony before Congress, Cheatle acknowledged the agency’s failures but admitted she had not yet visited the site of the incident. Lawmakers expressed frustration with her inability to provide a detailed account of the events, frequently citing the ongoing FBI investigation into the would-be assassin’s actions.

House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY) remarked, “The Secret Service has a critical mission and it failed under Director Cheatle’s leadership.” Comer stressed the importance of a thorough review to prevent future security lapses.

Following the hearing, both Comer and ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) demanded Cheatle’s resignation, arguing she failed to offer satisfactory explanations. Several investigations by the FBI, Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the DHS inspector general are now in progress.

DHS inspector general Joseph Cuffari announced two specific inquiries: one into the security procedures at the Trump rally and another assessing the readiness of the USSS Counter Sniper Team.
In response to the resignation, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) announced a bipartisan task force to investigate the security failures. “The task force will have subpoena power to ensure full accountability and prevent such failures in the future,” Johnson stated.
President Biden, despite the controversy, commended Cheatle’s dedication, saying, “Jill and I are grateful for Director Cheatle’s service. She has selflessly dedicated her career to protecting our nation.”
Cheatle’s career with the Secret Service began during the Obama administration when she was assigned to protect Jill Biden. Her resignation underscores the need for significant improvements within the Secret Service to ensure effective protection for national leaders and restore public trust in the agency.

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