Kimberly Cheatle Loses Security Clearance Following Trump Assassination Attempt Fallout
The U.S. Secret Service has blocked the renewal of former Director Kimberly Cheatle’s security clearance in the wake of sustained criticism over the agency’s failure to prevent an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Trump-appointed Secret Service Director Sean Curran made the decision not to renew Cheatle’s clearance.
In a statement, a Secret Service spokesperson said Curran “has determined that not all former directors need to have their clearances renewed.”
The move comes amid pressure from lawmakers who had expressed concern over maintaining high-level security access for individuals involved in what many view as one of the agency’s most serious operational failures in recent history.
Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) said he supported the decision.
“Following the security debacle in Butler, the former director of USSS made the right decision to resign,” Johnson told RCP.
“I see no reason for her security clearance to be instated.”
On the day of the attack, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire during President Trump’s rally.
Cheatle later admitted that Secret Service agents were not stationed on the roof where Crooks positioned himself, citing concerns over the “safety factor” of placing agents on a “sloped roof.”
Cheatle officially stepped down on July 14, 2024.
During the hearing, Cheatle declined to answer questions from lawmakers.
Her resignation letter read, “I take 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.”
Director Curran has since implemented structural changes within the Secret Service.
According to the agency’s statement to RCP, Curran has been “building a dynamic team of knowledgeable advisors” and “modernizing the intelligence apparatus within the agency.”
The practice of maintaining or renewing security clearances for former agency heads has long been standard within the Secret Service, CIA, FBI, and other intelligence agencies.
A Secret Service spokesperson explained that the purpose of this practice is “so the agency can maintain formal and protected communication, including potentially sensitive and classified matters with former officials.”
The agency has now begun reassessing that policy under Curran’s direction.
“Director Curran has determined that not all former directors need to have their clearances renewed,” the spokesperson said.
“His focus is on building a forward-looking leadership team and enhancing the agency’s capabilities.”
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), who accused Cheatle of lying to Congress during her testimony, said Cheatle “denied accusations she turned down requests for more resources” to secure President Trump’s Butler rally in advance.
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