The director of the Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, has resigned following an assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump, leading to intense scrutiny and criticism of the agency’s security measures. Cheatle had been in her role since August 2022.

Cheatle’s decision to step down comes amidst growing calls for her resignation and several investigations into how the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was able to get so close to Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 13. Crooks managed to get within 135 meters of Trump and opened fire from a rooftop identified earlier as a potential threat. Cheatle acknowledged the agency’s “most significant operational failure” in decades and accepted full responsibility for the security lapse, which left Trump with a minor injury and resulted in the death of one rallygoer and critical injuries to two others.

During a recent congressional hearing, Cheatle faced bipartisan criticism and pressure to resign. Despite her insistence that she was the right person to lead the agency, her failure to answer specific questions about the incident further fueled lawmakers’ frustrations. Republican Rep. Nancy Mace even suggested Cheatle draft her resignation letter during the hearing. President Biden announced plans to appoint a new director soon while expressing gratitude for Cheatle’s decades of public service.

The assassination attempt has triggered multiple investigations, including an independent bipartisan review ordered by President Biden. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas praised Cheatle’s service but acknowledged the need for thorough scrutiny. Former top Secret Service agents have also criticized the breach, stating that the shooter should never have been allowed access to the rooftop.

Former President Trump, who is the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, criticized the Biden administration for the security breach, stating on social media that he “was forced to take a bullet for Democracy.” Trump’s protective detail had been increased due to heightened threats, making the lapse even more significant. Cheatle’s resignation, while a critical step, is unlikely to end the scrutiny of the Secret Service as it navigates a busy presidential campaign season and prepares for the upcoming Democratic National Convention.

Cheatle’s tenure began amid controversy over missing text messages related to the January 6 Capitol riot. Despite her extensive experience, including being the first woman to serve as assistant director of protective operations, the security failure during Trump’s rally proved to be a decisive factor in her resignation. Lawmakers from both parties have vowed to continue investigating the agency’s failures to restore public trust and ensure such lapses do not occur in the future.