What's happened
Kimberly Cheatle, the U.S. Secret Service director, resigned following bipartisan criticism over security failures that led to an assassination attempt on former President Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13. Cheatle admitted the incident was the agency's most significant operational failure in decades, prompting calls for accountability from lawmakers.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Axios, Cheatle's resignation followed mounting bipartisan criticism, with Trump stating it should have occurred sooner. The Independent highlighted the ridicule faced by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene for her comments on Cheatle's competence, reflecting the intense scrutiny Cheatle faced. Al Jazeera reported that President Biden has ordered an independent review of security protocols, indicating a broader concern for safety in political events. The New York Times noted that Cheatle's acknowledgment of the Secret Service's failures has led to a significant loss of confidence in the agency's ability to protect its charges.
How we got here
The resignation comes after a July 13 rally where a gunman shot Trump in the ear, killing one attendee and injuring two others. Cheatle faced intense scrutiny during congressional hearings, where she acknowledged the Secret Service's failure to protect Trump, leading to bipartisan calls for her resignation.
Common question
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