In a significant move, the U.S. Secret Service has blocked the renewal of former Director Kimberly Cheatle’s security clearance.
It follows her resignation in July 2024 amid fierce criticism for the agency’s failure to prevent an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump.
Director Sean Curran, appointed under the Trump administration, has reportedly made the decision to end the security clearance renewals for “not all former directors.”
The move was confirmed in a statement from the Secret Service to RealClearPolitics (RCP).
This decision comes on the heels of controversy surrounding Cheatle’s leadership, especially in the aftermath of the July 13, 2024, shooting incident at Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks’ failed assassination attempt against Trump prompted renewed scrutiny of the Secret Service’s preparedness and response.
Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), who has been a vocal critic of Cheatle, argued that she should not have her security clearance reinstated, stating:
“Following the security debacle in Butler, the former director of USSS made the right decision to resign.”
Johnson added that he saw “no reason for her security clearance to be instated,” underscoring the failed security measures that led to the shooting.
Cheatle’s resignation came one day after a contentious congressional hearing where she struggled to answer key questions about the security lapse.
In an emotional email to staff, Cheatle took full responsibility for the incident, writing:
“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.”
Cheatle had previously admitted in an interview with ABC News that agents had not been placed on the roof where Crooks was positioned due to “safety concerns” regarding the “sloped roof.”
This admission added fuel to the fire as lawmakers demanded accountability for the security breach.
A Secret Service spokesman explained that the purpose of renewing security clearances for former directors is to allow the agency to maintain formal communication, especially in matters involving potentially sensitive or classified information.
However, under Curran’s leadership, the agency has shifted its stance.
The spokesman clarified that Curran has been “building a dynamic team of knowledgeable advisors” and modernizing the agency’s intelligence operations.
This shift has led him to conclude that “not all former directors need to have their clearances renewed.”
The New York Post reported that Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) also criticized Cheatle’s handling of security leading up to the rally, accusing her of lying to Congress about denying requests for additional security resources for Trump’s Butler event.
This latest move by the Secret Service signals the continuing fallout from one of the most high-profile security lapses in recent memory and raises further questions about accountability within the agency responsible for protecting the nation’s top officials.
As the investigation continues, Cheatle’s legacy is left in tatters, and her role in safeguarding Trump’s life remains under intense scrutiny.
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