US Secret Service Director Kimberley Cheatle Resigns Amid Controversy

US Secret Service Director Kimberley Cheatle resigns following the agency's handling of former President Trump's protection. President Joe Biden commended her decades of service and revealed plans to appoint a new director soon. Cheatle faced criticism from lawmakers after a recent security breach at a Trump rally.

Following US Secret Service Director Kimberley Cheatle's resignation over the agency's handling of former President Trump's protection, President Joe Biden thanked her "for her decades of public service" to the nation. Biden also stated that he plans to appoint a new director for the USSS soon.

Lauding Cheatle's service, Biden highlighted how she has selflessly dedicated and risked her life to protect the country throughout her career in the United States Secret Service. "Jill and I are grateful to Director Kim Cheatle for her decades of public service. She has selflessly dedicated and risked her life to protect our nation throughout her career in the United States Secret Service. We thank her for answering the call to lead the Secret Service during our Administration and are grateful for her service to our family," the White House release read, quoting Biden.

Cheatle's resignation comes amid ongoing probes by lawmakers and an internal government watchdog into the agency's handling of Trump's safety and the incident where a gunman nearly killed the Republican presidential candidate for Pennsylvania during a rally this month. "As a leader, it takes honor, courage, and incredible integrity to take full responsibility for an organization tasked with one of the most challenging jobs in public service," Biden said in a statement.

"The independent review to get to the bottom of what happened on July 13 continues, and I look forward to assessing its conclusions. We all know what happened that day can never happen again. As we move forward, I wish Kim all the best, and I will plan to appoint a new Director soon," he added. One rallygoer was killed, and several others were injured in the incident, which narrowly missed Trump's head.

Trump was on stage at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania when gunshots rang out, and Secret Service agents stormed the stage. Hours after the shooting, Trump revealed that the bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

Demands for Cheatle's resignation were raised by members of Congress from both parties, and Republicans had been pressing for her impeachment since Trump was shot at the Pennsylvania rally on July 13. After her Monday public hearing before the House Oversight Committee, where she refused to respond to several of the committee's questions, lawmakers were especially enraged, according to CNN.

Even though Cheatle acknowledged "significant" and "colossal" issues with the rally's security during her testimony before the House Oversight Committee, she had previously refused to step down. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)