Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the US Secret Service, has reportedly resigned from her position.
Cheatle's resignation comes in the wake of intense scrutiny from Capitol Hill politicians following the agency's mishandling during the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
Just yesterday, Cheatle had stated her intention to remain in her role to oversee the investigation into the July 13 incident.
However, the growing pressure appears to have influenced her decision to step down, as reported by Sky News.
BBC News reports that Cheatle hasn't stepped down with immediate effect, but plans to in an unknown timeframe.
On July 13, 78-year-old Trump was speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania when a gunman opened fire on the former president.
Trump was struck in the ear during the shooting, narrowly escaping death. One rally-goer was killed by a stray bullet, and two others were critically injured.
As the FBI continues its investigation into the alleged gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle found herself under intense scrutiny by House Oversight Committee lawmakers.
They have labeled the incident a "complete failure" of the agency.
Rep. Nancy Mace did not hold back, accusing Cheatle of dishonesty during the hearing.
After asking: "Would you say leaking your opening statement... several hours before you sent it to this committee as being political? Yes or no?" Cheatle responded, "I have no idea how my statement got out."
"Well, that’s bulls***,” Mace retorted.
Mace continued with a series of "yes or no" questions, inquiring if Cheatle's performance was a "colossal failure."
When asked if all audio and video recordings had been provided to the committee as requested, Cheatle replied: "I would have to get back to you."
"That is a no. You're full of s*** today. You're just being completely dishonest," Mace scorned.
Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also criticized Cheatle for her lack of transparency.
"It has been 10 days since an assassination attempt on a former president of the United States," she said. "Regardless of party, there need to be answers."
"We have to make policy decisions, and we have to make them now," AOC emphasized, adding that without a report, lawmakers are "flying blind."
Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., harshly criticized Cheatle, calling her a "DEI horror story" and expressing frustration over her lack of clear answers regarding explosives found by the FBI.
"Ms. Cheatle, you said that the buck stops with me and I agree. I don’t think you should resign, I think you should have been fired," Burchett stated.
"Ma’am, you have not achieved today. You have let the American people down. If it was up to me, you’d be gone," Burchett concluded.
