In a surprising turn of events, U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has stepped down from her position following widespread calls for her resignation. The decision comes in the wake of the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. According to three sources, Cheatle's resignation was prompted by intense scrutiny and the need for increased operational efficiency.

Cheatle's resignation letter, obtained by a senior official, emphasized her acceptance of full responsibility for the security lapse that allowed the assassination attempt to occur. Leading the agency since September 2022, Cheatle expressed her decision to step down as Director with a heavy heart. The exact date of her departure remains unknown.

President Joe Biden acknowledged Cheatle's service and thanked her in a statement. Biden assured that a successor to lead the Secret Service would be appointed "soon." Following the assassination attempt, Biden initiated an independent review to investigate the incident, stating his eagerness to review its conclusions. He stressed the importance of preventing similar occurrences in the future, asserting that such events should never happen again.

Former President Trump, in response to Cheatle's resignation, took to Truth Social and claimed that the Biden/Harris Administration failed to properly protect him. Trump asserted that he was "forced to take a bullet for Democracy" and expressed gratitude for the honor.

During a hearing on Monday, Cheatle faced strong criticism from lawmakers of both parties for the Secret Service's failure to protect Trump. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., stated that Cheatle "instilled no confidence" while testifying, facing accusations of incompetence and providing inadequate answers. Committee members from both sides demanded Cheatle's resignation, expressing dissatisfaction with her explanations and accusing her of being dishonest.

The House Oversight Committee leaders, Comer and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, D-Md., sent a joint letter to Cheatle, demanding institutional accountability and transparency. They urged Cheatle to step down as Director, emphasizing the need for new leadership to swiftly address the crisis, rebuild trust, and ensure the Secret Service's effectiveness, especially during a presidential election year.

Numerous high-profile Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso, R-Wyo., also called for Cheatle's resignation. Prior to her decision to step down, several lawmakers had proposed filing impeachment articles against her.

In an interview with ABC News, Cheatle stated that ultimate responsibility rested with her for the security failure. She explained that the agency was still conducting a review of the incident and lacked all the details. However, Cheatle confirmed that there was a short time gap between when the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was flagged as suspicious and when he began shooting from a rooftop at the July 13 rally.

Sources familiar with the Senate briefing on the assassination attempt disclosed that there was a 62-minute window of time between the sighting of Crooks on the rooftop by Secret Service agents and the commencement of the shooting, with a 20-minute interval after Trump took the stage. These details further contribute to the mounting criticism of the Secret Service's response.

As Cheatle's resignation takes effect, the nation awaits the appointment of a new Secret Service Director who can address the glaring security concerns and restore trust within the agency. The independent review ordered by President Biden will shed further light on the incident and its implications for future presidential security measures.