Former Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle, who resigned last month following multiple security failures, is now under Secret Service protection after President Joe Biden authorized the move. Cheatle’s leadership came under heavy fire after the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, where significant lapses allowed a gunman to target Trump, leading to the death of a firefighter and injuries to other rally-goers.
Despite the widespread criticism and her subsequent resignation, Cheatle is receiving round-the-clock security due to what sources describe as mounting threats against her. The decision has drawn backlash, with many questioning why taxpayer dollars are being used to protect someone who was at the center of such a high-profile failure.
Reports from RealClearPolitics indicate that Cheatle’s protection detail was ordered after she faced threats on social media and in person. The controversy surrounding her stems not only from the Butler incident but also from a broader series of failures that emerged under her watch, including a recent scandal involving a Secret Service agent walking off duty to breastfeed during another Trump event in North Carolina.
Critics argue that the focus should be on improving security for Trump and others who remain under threat, rather than shielding those responsible for major lapses. The relationship between the Bidens and Cheatle has added to the controversy, with Cheatle having been personally selected by First Lady Jill Biden for the director role in 2022.
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi refused to confirm or deny the reports, stating only that the agency does not comment on “protective intelligence” matters. However, the news has sparked outrage among those who believe the administration is more concerned with protecting its allies than addressing the root issues within the Secret Service.
The decision to provide protection to Cheatle highlights a growing divide between public expectations of accountability and the actions being taken by those in power. As the investigation into the Butler incident continues, many are left wondering if the agency tasked with protecting America’s leaders is itself in need of serious reform.
