Secret Service Director Steps Down Following Trump Assassination Attempt

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Chattel has resigned amid widespread calls from lawmakers for her resignation following the assassination of former President Donald Trump.

In his resignation letter, which was obtained by a senior official, Chattel wrote that “scrutiny has been intense over the past week and will continue as we increase our operational tempo.” She added that she “takes full responsibility for the security lapse.”

“In light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision to step down as your director,” wrote Chattel, who had led the agency since September 2022.

It’s unclear when her last day will be.

In a statement, President Joe Biden thanked Chattel for his service, saying he would “soon” appoint a successor to lead the Secret Service. After the assassination attempt on Trump, Biden ordered an independent review to examine what happened and said Tuesday he looked forward to reading its findings.

“We all know what happened that day can never happen again,” Biden said.

In response to the news of his resignation, Trump wrote on TruthSocial: “The Biden/Harris administration did not protect me properly, and I was forced to take the bullet for democracy. It was an honor to do so!”

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said in a statement Tuesday that Chattel “created distrust” when he faced questions Monday from angry lawmakers from both parties about the Secret Service’s Trump administration. They were angry at the failure to protect.

“I’m not going to go into the details of that day,” Chattel testified, referring to the ongoing investigation. “There was a plan to provide Overwatch, and we’re still looking at the responsibilities.”

Both Democratic and Republican committee members said he should resign over his “incompetence” and “lame excuses.”

“You’re full today!” Rep. Nancy Mays, R-S.C. said, criticizing Chattel for dodging questions and being “totally dishonest” about his cooperation with the committee.

His answers did not satisfy leaders of the House Oversight Committee, which held a hearing on Monday and subpoenaed him.

“Today, you failed to provide answers to fundamental questions about this spectacular operational failure and to reassure the American public that the Secret Service has learned its lessons and begun to correct its systemic mistakes and failures,” Comr. and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, D-Md., wrote in a joint letter to Chattel hours after the hearing.