The resignation of the director of the Secret Service sparks controversy in the USA.

The resignation of Kimberly Cheatle, the first woman to lead the U.S. Secret Service, has caused a stir in the political and security spheres of the country. Cheatle submitted her resignation after facing harsh criticism and pressure following an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump on July 13th at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The actions of an armed man who shot from a nearby rooftop endangered Trump's life and that of several attendees, resulting in one death and two injuries. During a six-hour hearing in the House of Representatives, Cheatle defended the work of Secret Service agents but admitted that the assassination attempt was a serious operational error. Faced with criticism and pressure from lawmakers, the director chose to resign, taking responsibility for the security failure. In a resignation letter, she expressed her desire to avoid distractions within the agency and to face the consequences of what had happened. Kimberly Cheatle, 53, had been appointed by President Joe Biden in September 2022 to lead the Secret Service, a crucial agency responsible for protecting sitting and former presidents. Her 27-year career in the agency included supervisory roles and involvement in high-risk operations, such as protecting then-Vice President Dick Cheney after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Cheatle's resignation has sparked mixed reactions in the political sphere, with Biden highlighting her dedication and service to the country throughout her career. However, the pressure on the director during the House Oversight Committee hearing highlighted the seriousness of the security failure in the assassination attempt against Trump. The former president, on the other hand, reacted by accusing the Biden/Harris administration of not adequately protecting him, despite Cheatle taking responsibility for what happened. During the hearing, it was revealed that the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot by a sniper shortly after the assassination attempt. Cheatle could not provide information on how the assailant managed to access the rooftop from where he carried out the attack. The bullet that grazed Trump's ear in the incident has once again brought to the forefront the discussion on the level of protection and security at high-profile political events in the United States. Kimberly Cheatle's resignation leaves a void in the leadership of the Secret Service and raises questions about the security measures implemented in future political events. The July 13 incident and its consequences have sparked a debate on the effectiveness of agencies responsible for protecting public figures in a context of growing political polarization and potential threats.