Cheatle Faces Scrutiny After Trump Shooting Incident

Washington D.C., July 20, 2024 — Kimberly Cheatle, the 27th and second female director of the United States Secret Service, is facing intense scrutiny following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally on July 13. Cheatle, who took office in September 2022, has been summoned to testify before the Republican-led House Oversight and Accountability Committee on July 22.

The shooting, which occurred just 430 feet from where Trump was standing, has raised questions about the Secret Service’s ability to protect high-profile targets. Eight shots were fired before the gunman was engaged and neutralized by Secret Service counter-sniper teams. Witnesses had reported seeing the gunman climbing on the roof of a nearby building minutes before the attack, but their warnings were reportedly ignored by local law enforcement.

Cheatle, who has over two decades of experience with the Secret Service, including a stint as the global security senior director at PepsiCo, expressed regret over the incident but has refused to resign. In a statement, she acknowledged that “responsibility lies with me” but also pointed to a lack of coordination with local authorities in securing the perimeter of the rally site.

“In this particular instance, we shared responsibility for securing the location, and the US Air Force provided inner-circle defense,” Cheatle said. “We sought additional perimeter support from our local counterparts, who had officers both inside and outside the building.”

The shooting has reignited debates about the Secret Service’s readiness and training, particularly in light of Cheatle’s efforts to diversify the agency’s workforce. In a 2023 interview, she highlighted the agency’s high turnover rate and her goal to increase female representation to 30% by 2030.

As the investigation unfolds, the Secret Service has pledged full cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and has strengthened security measures for upcoming events, including the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Cheatle remains determined to restore public confidence in the agency’s ability to protect the nation’s leaders.