Kimberly Cheatle
{{Short description|American law enforcement officer (born 1970s)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Kim Cheatle
| image = Kimberly Cheatle, Secret Service Assistant Director (3x4 cropped).jpg
| office = 27th Director of the United States Secret Service
| president = Joe Biden
| term_start = September 17, 2022
| term_end = July 23, 2024
| predecessor = James M. Murray
| successor = Sean M. Curran
| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|53|2024|7|18|slash=y}}
| birth_place = Hinsdale, Illinois, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| education = Eastern Illinois University (BA)
| awards = Presidential Rank Award (2021)
| caption = Official portrait, 2018
| deputy = Ronald L. Rowe Jr.
}}
Kimberly A. Cheatle (born {{birth based on age as of date|53|2024|7|18|noage=1|slash=y}}{{cite news |last1=Balk |first1=Tim |title=What to Know About Kimberly Cheatle, the Secret Service Director |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/18/us/kimberly-cheatle-secret-service.html |access-date=July 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=July 18, 2024}}) is an American law enforcement officer who served as the 27th director of the United States Secret Service from 2022 until 2024. After serving in the Secret Service from 1995 to 2019, she worked as senior director of global security at PepsiCo from 2019 to 2022. Appointed director of the Secret Service by President Joe Biden, she assumed the office on 17 September 2022, becoming the second woman to hold the position.
Following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a campaign rally on July 13, 2024, the Secret Service was widely criticized over security lapses. On July 22, Cheatle testified before the United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, where she faced bipartisan calls for her resignation. She resigned on July 23 and was succeeded by acting director Ronald L. Rowe Jr.
Early life and education
Cheatle was born in Hinsdale, Illinois, and grew up in Danville, Illinois.{{Cite web |title=Chicago DNC 2024 will be a homecoming for the Director of the US Secret Service|url=https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-dnc-2042-will-be-homecoming-for-us-secret-service-director-kimberly-cheatle/14757792/ |date=May 2, 2024|access-date=July 22, 2024 |last1=Goudie|first=Chuck|last2=Markoff|first2=Barb|last3=Tressel|first3=Christine|last4=Jones|first4=Tom|author-link1=Chuck Goudie|work=WLS-TV}} She completed her undergraduate studies at Eastern Illinois University with a major in sociology and a concentration in criminal justice.{{Cite web |last=Hardy |first=Cam'ron |title=From Eastern alum to director of the Secret Service |url=https://www.dailyeasternnews.com/2023/10/02/from-eastern-alum-to-director-of-the-secret-service/ |access-date=July 22, 2024 |website=The Daily Eastern News}}
Career
Cheatle joined the United States Secret Service in 1995.{{cite web|work=Security Magazine|title=Kimberly Cheatle, Senior Director – Global Security at PepsiCo|date=July 1, 2022|first=Maggie|last=Shein|url=https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/97889-women-in-security-2022-kimberly-cheatle-pepsico}} She was involved in the evacuation of Vice President of the United States Dick Cheney during the September 11 attacks and served on Joe Biden's protective detail during the Obama administration, when she was assigned to the Vice Presidential Protective Division.{{Cite web |title=Women in Security 2022: Kimberly Cheatle, PepsiCo {{!}} Security Magazine |url=https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/97889-women-in-security-2022-kimberly-cheatle-pepsico |access-date=August 25, 2022 |website=www.securitymagazine.com |language=en}} In 2017 and 2018, she served as deputy assistant director. She served{{When|date=July 2024}} as special-agent-in-charge in the Grand Rapids, Michigan office. She became{{When|date=July 2024}} the first woman to serve as assistant director of Protective Operations, a unit tasked with protection of the President of the United States and dignitaries.{{cite news |date=August 24, 2022 |title=Biden names new Secret Service director amid Jan. 6 scrutiny |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-donald-trump-government-and-politics-f3d1e4308d7e2d367d91d9ab037e2229 |newspaper=AP News}}
From 2019 to 2022, Cheatle served as senior director of global security at PepsiCo.{{Cite web |date=August 24, 2022 |title=Statement from President Biden on the Appointment of Kimberly Cheatle to be the Next Director of the United States Secret Service |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/08/24/statement-from-president-biden-on-the-appointment-of-kimberly-cheatle-to-be-the-next-director-of-the-united-states-secret-service/ |access-date=August 25, 2022 |website=The White House |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Greene |first=Shayna |title=Biden announces new head of Secret Service |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/08/24/biden-secret-service-kimberly-cheatle-00053638 |access-date=August 25, 2022 |website=POLITICO |date=August 24, 2022 |language=en}}
In 2021, President Joe Biden awarded Cheatle a Presidential Rank Award for exceptional performance.{{cite news|work=The New York Times|title=Biden Names Kim Cheatle to Lead Secret Service|first=Michael D.|last=Shear|date=August 24, 2022|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/24/us/politics/kim-cheatle-secret-service.html}} In August 2022, President Biden announced the appointment of Cheatle as director of the United States Secret Service,{{cite web |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/08/24/statement-from-president-biden-on-the-appointment-of-kimberly-cheatle-to-be-the-next-director-of-the-united-states-secret-service/ |title=Statement from President Biden on the Appointment of Kimberly Cheatle to be the Next Director of the United States Secret Service |date=August 24, 2022 |website=The White House |publisher=Executive Office of the President of the United States |access-date=September 20, 2022}} and she assumed office on September 17, 2022.{{cite web |title=Director Kimberly A. Cheatle |url=https://www.secretservice.gov/about/leadership/director |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=United States Secret Service |publisher=}} She was the second woman to hold the position.{{Cite news |last=Shear |first=Michael D. |date=2022-08-24 |title=Biden Names Kim Cheatle to Lead Secret Service |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/24/us/politics/kim-cheatle-secret-service.html |access-date=2024-08-06 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Cheatle took over the Secret Service following "a turbulent couple of months in which the agency best known for protecting presidents has faced controversies related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol."{{cite news|work=The Wall Street Journal|title=Secret Service Veteran Kimberly Cheatle Named as New Director|first=Alexa|last=Corse|date=August 24, 2022|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/secret-service-veteran-kimberly-cheatle-named-as-new-director-11661383009}}
In 2023, Cheatle told CBS News the agency needed to "attract diverse candidates and give opportunities to everybody in the workforce, particularly women," outlining her goal that by 2030, thirty percent of its recruits would be female.{{Cite web |last1=Diaz |first1=Adriana |last2=Novak |first2=Analisa |last3=Triay |first3=Andres |date=May 18, 2023 |title=Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle addresses controversies, challenges facing the agency - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/secret-service-director-kimberly-cheatle-controversies-challenges/ |access-date=July 15, 2024 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}
In April 2024, after a female agent on Vice President Kamala Harris's detail attacked her superior officer and other agents,{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2024/04/25/us-news/kamala-harris-secret-service-officer-who-brawled-her-colleagues-previously-filed-1m-law-suit-citing-gender-discrimination/|title=Secret Service officer who fought colleagues while assigned to Kamala Harris once sued Dallas for $1M, claiming gender bias|date=April 25, 2024|access-date=September 26, 2024}}
United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer requested a briefing with Cheatle to address issues regarding hiring, training and disciplinary processes. The Secret Service downplayed reports of a petition circulating within the agency alleging security vulnerabilities arising from these processes.{{cite web|url=https://oversight.house.gov/release/comer-requests-briefing-from-u-s-secret-service-after-incidents-linked-to-inadequate-training%ef%bf%bc/|title=Comer Requests Briefing from U.S. Secret Service After Incidents Linked to 'Inadequate Training'|work=Committee on Oversight and Accountability|date=May 30, 2024|access-date=July 22, 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/secret-service-agent-removed-kamala-harris-detail-distressing-behavior-rcna149462|title=Secret Service removes agent from Kamala Harris' detail after 'distressing' behavior|work=NBC News|first=Megan|last=Lebowitz|date=April 25, 2024|access-date=July 22, 2024}} Cheatle's previous statements regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion became a frequent target for criticism by commentators after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.{{cite magazine | last=Ewe | first=Koh | title=Critics Blame 'DEI' for Trump's Shooting | magazine=TIME | date=July 15, 2024 | url=https://time.com/6998539/trump-shooting-republicans-blame-dei-secret-service-women/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718065349/https://time.com/6998539/trump-shooting-republicans-blame-dei-secret-service-women/ | archive-date=July 18, 2024 | url-status=live | access-date=July 18, 2024 }}{{cite web | title=Secret Service says it's appalled by DEI rhetoric against female agents after Trump rally shooting | website=NBC News | date=July 18, 2024 | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/secret-service-condemns-backlash-against-women-agents-rcna161928 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718043301/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/secret-service-condemns-backlash-against-women-agents-rcna161928 | archive-date=July 18, 2024 | url-status=live | access-date=July 18, 2024 }}{{cite news | last1=Lorenz | first1=Taylor | last2=Nix | first2=Naomi | last3=Tiku | first3=Nitasha | title=Right-wing influencers use Trump assassination attempt to attack DEI | newspaper=Washington Post | date=July 16, 2024 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/07/16/trump-dei-female-secret-service-assassination-attempt/ | access-date=July 18, 2024| archive-url=https://archive.today/20240718064817/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/07/16/trump-dei-female-secret-service-assassination-attempt/ | archive-date=July 18, 2024}}{{cite web | last=Edmondson | first=Catie | title=After Trump Assassination Attempt, Right Points Finger at Female Agents | website=The New York Times | date=July 16, 2024 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/16/us/politics/secret-service-female-agents.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718065642/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/16/us/politics/secret-service-female-agents.html | archive-date=July 18, 2024 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 18, 2024 }} The Secret Service called criticism of female agents "misogynistic" and reaffirmed its belief where diversity in recruiting was "helping, not hurting, the effectiveness of its protective teams."{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/secret-service-condemns-backlash-against-women-agents-rcna161928|title=Secret Service says it's appalled by DEI rhetoric against female agents after Trump rally shooting|work=NBC News|first1=David|last1=Ingram|first2=Curtis|last2=Bunn|date=July 17, 2024|access-date=July 22, 2024}}
=Attempted assassination of Donald Trump=
{{Main|Attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania}}
On July 13, 2024, during the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, Cheatle was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the 2024 Republican National Convention was due to commence in two days. In the wake of the shooting and criticism of her leadership, Cheatle acknowledged the failure of the Secret Service, calling it "unacceptable." However, Cheatle told ABC News that she would not resign from her position{{cite news |last1=Reinstein |first1=Julia |last2=Barr |first2=Luke |last3=Owen |first3=Quinn |last4=Mallin |first4=Alexander |last5=Date |first5=Jack |title=ABC Exclusive: Trump rally shooting 'unacceptable,' Secret Service director says |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-rally-shooting-unacceptable-secret-service-director-abc-exclusive/story?id=111962314 |access-date=July 16, 2024 |work=ABC News |date=July 15, 2024 |language=en}} and defended herself by saying that local law enforcement had been responsible for securing the building from which the shooter launched his attack.{{Cite web |date=July 16, 2024 |title=Secret Service Director Suggests Roof Used by Shooter Was Too Dangerous for Agents to Stand On |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/news/secret-service-director-suggests-roof-used-by-shooter-was-too-dangerous-for-agents-to-stand-on/ |access-date=July 17, 2024 |website=National Review |language=en-US}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/17/politics/video/secret-service-director-cheatle-intv-trump-rally-wild-digvid |title=Secret Service director asked if Trump rally perimeter was too small. Hear her response {{!}} CNN Politics |date=July 17, 2024 |last=Smith |first=Jennifer |language=en |access-date=July 17, 2024 |via=www.cnn.com}}
On July 20, 2024, Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA) called on Cheatle to resign in the wake of the assassination attempt against Trump, making him the first congressional Democrat to do so.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehill.com/homenews/house/4784008-rep-brendan-boyle-secret-service-director-resign/|title=Democratic rep calls for Secret Service director to resign after Trump rally shooting|work=The Hill|first=Tara|last=Suter|date=July 20, 2024|access-date=July 21, 2024}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Earlier, House Speaker Mike Johnson called on Cheatle to resign, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called for new leadership at the agency on the same day.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4778431-mcconnell-secret-service-leadership/|title=McConnell calls for new leadership of Secret Service|work=The Hill|first=Tara|last=Suter|date=July 17, 2024|access-date=July 21, 2024}}
On July 22, 2024, Cheatle testified before the United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability about the assassination attempt.{{Cite web |title=Secret Service chief Kimberly Cheatle faces grilling over Trump shooting |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4ngqllw3jwo |access-date=July 22, 2024 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}} During the hearing, she acknowledged it was "the most significant operational failure at the Secret Service in decades" and faced a bipartisan chorus of lawmakers calling for her to resign. Her testimony was condemned by House members of both parties for being evasive and uninformative.{{Cite web |title=Hearing Highlights: Secret Service Chief Pummeled by Lawmakers Who Called for Her Resignation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/07/22/us/secret-service-hearing-trump-cheatle |access-date=2024-11-15}} At one point, Cheatle's answer to a question by Marjorie Taylor Greene was so uninformative that members of the audience in the hearing room laughed at her.{{Cite web |title=Congress calls for Secret Service boss to resign for 'failed' Trump rally security |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c724wqpy4qnt |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} However, she pledged not to resign.{{Cite news |last=Broadwater |first=Luke |date=July 22, 2024 |title=Live Updates: Secret Service Chief Testifies on 'Failed' Response at Trump Rally |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/07/22/us/secret-service-hearing-trump-cheatle |access-date=July 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite news |title=Takeaways from the House hearing with Secret Service Director Cheatle on the Trump assassination attempt |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/22/politics/takeaways-trump-shooting-secret-service-cheatle-hearing/index.html |access-date=July 22, 2024 |work=CNN |date=July 22, 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/kimberly-cheatle-secret-service-house-oversight-committee-13a7aaf8|title=Secret Service Director's Testimony Sparks Bipartisan Calls for Her Resignation|work=The Wall Street Journal|first1=C. Ryan|last1=Barber|first2=Sadie|last2=Gurman|date=July 22, 2024|access-date=July 22, 2024}} Cheatle also declined to answer questions about whether the Secret Service had rebuffed requests for additional resources for Trump's security detail in the two years leading up to the assassination attempt; the week prior an agency spokesman denied that any such requests had been turned down.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/secret-service-director-kimberly-cheatle-expected-tell-house-hearing-a-rcna163010|title=House committee skewers Secret Service director for not answering major questions on Trump assassination attempt|work=NBC News|first=Melissa|last=Chan|date=July 22, 2024|access-date=July 22, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://oversight.house.gov/release/hearing-wrap-up-secret-service-director-kimberly-cheatle-fails-to-answer-basic-questions-and-must-resign-following-historic-security-failures-at-president-trumps-rally-%EF%BF%BC/|title=Hearing Wrap Up: Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle Fails to Answer Basic Questions and Must Resign Following Historic Security Failures at President Trump's Rally|date=July 23, 2024|website=United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability}}
Cheatle resigned from her position as the director of the Secret Service on July 23, 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/secret-service-director-kimberly-cheatle-resigns-sources/story?id=111990439|title=Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigns|first1=Luke|last1=Barr|first2=Aaron|last2=Katersky|first3=Julia|last3=Reinstein |website=ABC News |date=July 23, 2024|access-date=July 23, 2024}}{{Cite news |last1=Aleaziz |first1=Hamed |last2=Kanno-Youngs |first2=Zolan |last3=Kelly |first3=Kate |date=July 23, 2024 |title=Secret Service Director Resigns After Trump Assassination Attempt |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/23/us/politics/cheatle-secret-service-director-resigns.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240723144357/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/23/us/politics/cheatle-secret-service-director-resigns.html |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=July 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Because she received ongoing threats, she was assigned her own security detail.{{Cite web |last=Wild |first=Whitney |last2=Lybrand |first2=Holmes |date=2024-08-16 |title=Former Secret Service director assigned security detail amid threats after Trump shooting |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/16/politics/former-secret-service-director-assigned-security-amid-threats/index.html |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=CNN |language=en}}
References
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External links
- {{C-SPAN|136020}}
{{Directors of the United States Secret Service}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cheatle, Kimberly}}
Category:21st-century American women civil servants
Category:Attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania
Category:Biden administration personnel
Category:Biden administration controversies
Category:Directors of the United States Secret Service
Category:Eastern Illinois University alumni
Category:Law enforcement officials from Washington, D.C.
Category:People from Hinsdale, Illinois