Former President Trump on Tuesday criticized former Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle after she announced her resignation and called for reform of the agency.
Cheatle resigned on Tuesday following an investigation by the department following an assassin last week who nearly shot former President Trump, leaving him largely unharmed except for a graze on his ear, and one attendee at a rally he held in Pennsylvania was killed and two others injured.
“She didn’t give me proper protection, so I had to take a bullet for democracy,” Trump said. He told Fox News Digital.
“There have been multiple requests from the venue’s Secret Service to increase attendance but they have always been turned down or unresponsive,” he continued. “We are seeing the biggest crowd in history and should be treated accordingly.”
Lawmakers grilled Cheatle on Monday about his agency’s security and response to the shooting, in which the gunman took up position on a rooftop just 150 yards from President Trump.
“I take full responsibility for any security failings,” she said in an email to staff on Tuesday obtained by The Associated Press. “In light of recent events, and with a heavy heart, I have made the difficult decision to step down as director.”
Amid continuing criticism, lawmakers from both parties have called for Cheatle’s resignation, and a bipartisan House Select Committee continues to investigate the agency and the assassination attempt.
“She should have resigned at least a week ago. I’m glad to know that. I’m glad she listened to the requests of both Republicans and Democrats,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, said Tuesday.
“Now we have to pick up the pieces… There is a lot of work to do. The task force that we will be forming is going to be very important,” he added.
