Alabama’s Republican Congressional delegation responded to the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle Tuesday, arguing it was “past time” for her to go.
“The Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders and financial infrastructure. On July 13th, we fell short on that mission,” Cheatle wrote. “The scrutiny over the last week has been intense and will continue to remain as our operational tempo increases. As your Director, I take full responsibility for the security lapse.”
Cheatle had faced increased scrutiny over her agency’s failure to prevent the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover), who questioned Cheatle Monday during a tense Oversight Committee hearing, had a one word response to the news of her stepping down.
Good. https://t.co/hZ3C6tBmL9
— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) July 23, 2024
Palmer was very critical of Cheatle’s response to the failure and told her as much during the hearing.
“I don’t understand how you can continue to stay in the position you’re in when this was a failure of historic magnitude,” Palmer said. “Forty-three years without anything like this happening, you failed, in this case, in a spectacular way.”
U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) had the same one word response as Palmer.
Good. https://t.co/3C4krD7Xi7
— Rep. Jerry Carl (@RepJerryCarl) July 23, 2024
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) said he was “glad” to hear the news of her resignation.
I’m glad to hear this news. It was clear to anyone who listened to her testimony that she had no business leading the brave men and women of the Secret Service. https://t.co/CBRPXEdAhU
— Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) July 23, 2024
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Monrovia) said Cheatle’s resignation is “first step in accountability” for the failure to secure the former President.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigning is the first step in accountability for the failure to protect President Trump, but the American people still deserve real answers. I am committed to continuing this investigation until we uncover the facts.
— Dale W. Strong (@RepDaleStrong) July 23, 2024
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) said the Secret Service “failed” because of her poor leadership.
The Secret Service failed on a no-fail mission under her leadership.
It was past time. https://t.co/Fx66pj71zN
— Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) July 23, 2024
Secret Service Deputy Director Ronald Rowe has been named as acting director. Rowe is a 24-year veteran of the U.S. Secret Service.
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee
