An attempted assassination during a rally has stirred turmoil and criticism of Secret Service leadership.
According to Breitbart News, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle is facing calls to resign following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
The incident unfolded recently when Donald Trump was suddenly shot at during his speech, leaving him with visible injuries. He later confirmed that he was struck in the upper right ear, though his injuries were not life-threatening.
Kimberly Cheatle, appointed as the U.S. Secret Service Director in September 2021, is now facing intense scrutiny over security measures. Her background includes an extensive 27-year career with the agency and a pivotal role in global security for PepsiCo.
Before stepping into her role as director, Cheatle held the position of Assistant Director of the Office of Protective Operations at the Secret Service. Despite this experience, her recent transition from a corporate security role has been a focal point of critique following the security breach.
At the rally, a witness expressed concern over the delay in security reaction as the situation unfolded. "I’m thinking to myself ‘Why is Trump still speaking, why have they not pulled him off the stage’… the next thing you know, five shots ring out," reported the witness.
Criticisms have not been limited to direct witnesses. Elon Musk made a derogatory remark about Cheatle’s recent professional background, comparing it to guarding snack foods.
Former Sniper Employment Officer Blake Hall echoed concerns about the evident security oversights, which made it possible for the assailant to aim at Trump from a worryingly manageable distance of about 130 meters. "There were major security lapses in the security plan that allowed a shooter to engage President Trump from such a short distance – an easy shot," stated Hall.
The incident has fueled a broader debate over the qualifications and appointment criteria for high-security positions. New York City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino criticized Cheatle's appointment, attributing it to diversity efforts rather than her credentials in security or military fields.
Vickie Paladino stated:
In a nation with the finest military, special forces, and security services the world has ever known, Biden appoints a female DEI hire from PepsiCo as the director of our Secret Service. Not a former Army Ranger, not a Navy SEAL, not even a longtime SS agent with decades of experience… a woman who did corporate security for PepsiCo. Purely appointments of wildly unqualified individuals like this have grave consequences for our nation, and today’s assassination attempt proves it. Get these - people OUT of government.
Amidst the fallout, House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer has summoned Kimberly Cheatle for a hearing to discuss the security failures and uphold accountability.
Despite the backlash, it’s clear that Cheatle’s appointment and tenure will remain under scrutiny, especially in light of her previous commitment to increasing diversity within the agency. In a 2023 CBS News interview, she expressed a goal to boost female recruitment to 30% by 2030.
Following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, there have been calls for the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. Appointed as the director in September 2022, Cheatle previously managed security at PepsiCo and had a long tenure of 27 years with the U.S. Secret Service, including a role as Assistant Director of the Office of Protective Operations. The recent incident has sparked criticism of the Secret Service's security measures, with some questioning Cheatle's qualifications based on her corporate security background.
