In a shocking turn of events, US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has tendered her resignation amidst intense scrutiny and investigations following the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Sources have confirmed that Cheatle's resignation comes as lawmakers and an internal government watchdog probe the agency's handling of Trump's protection and the security lapses that allowed a gunman to come dangerously close to killing the 2024 Republican presidential candidate at a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this month.

According to CNN, there have been bipartisan calls in Congress for Cheatle's resignation, with Republican lawmakers even pushing for her impeachment. The lawmakers were particularly displeased with her performance during a public testimony in front of the House Oversight Committee on Monday, where she evaded many of the committee's questions. Despite acknowledging "significant" and "colossal" problems with rally security, Cheatle maintained that she was the best person to lead the Secret Service at this time.

House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed that the resignation was long overdue, emphasizing the need to rebuild the American people's faith and trust in the Secret Service as an agency responsible for protecting presidents, former presidents, and other executive branch officials. He stated, "We have to pick up the pieces and do the necessary work."

Cheatle, who was appointed by President Joe Biden in 2022, initially refused to step down following the shooting incident. During an interview with CNN, she asserted that the Secret Service was solely responsible for the design and implementation of security at the Pennsylvania rally site, where the assailant fired shots at Trump from an unsecured rooftop just a few hundred feet away from the stage. The bullets narrowly missed Trump's head, resulting in the death of one rallygoer and multiple injuries.

As more details emerged about the circumstances surrounding the attempted attack, questions arose about the Secret Service's handling of Trump's protection that day. Concerns were raised regarding their failure to control access to the rooftop and how they responded to intelligence provided by local law enforcement, which indicated suspicious activity around the rally grounds.

The Secret Service and Pennsylvania law enforcement, both involved in the rally's security efforts, have provided conflicting accounts of what transpired and who was responsible for the security lapses. Cheatle had pledged the agency's full cooperation with the ongoing congressional and internal government investigations into the Secret Service's approach on that fateful day.

Cheatle, who had previously worked as a manager of Global Security at PepsiCo, had an extensive 27-year career in the Secret Service before taking on the role of Director. Her resignation marks a significant moment for the agency as it grapples with rebuilding its reputation and addressing the serious security concerns that have come to light.

The resignation of Director Kimberly Cheatle serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of ensuring the safety and security of our nation's leaders and the significant work that lies ahead for the Secret Service.