Republican firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene prompted an online backlash when she described Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle as the most incompetent woman she had ever seen. The response was swift and fierce; more than 10,000 commentators replied, with many suggesting that Taylor Greene look in the mirror before attacking Cheatle. Others called on the Georgia Republican to resign for encouraging “insurrection” on January 6.
Some 𝕏 users, however, agreed with the Republican and said Cheatle is responsible for the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and should step down. On July 23, having resisted calls for her resignation for days, Cheatle finally conceded and announced she would leave the Secret Service.
The decision came after a Congressional grilling by bipartisan lawmakers who condemned Ms. Cheatle for the extraordinary scenes at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, where an untrained 20-year-old was able to get a clear sight of Trump and fire several rounds, injuring the former President and killing a local man.
In her resignation letter, Cheatle stated that the Secret Service’s “solemn” role is to protect the nation’s leaders, and it “fell short on that mission.” President Biden issued a statement praising the Director for taking responsibility, saying it took “honor, courage, and incredible integrity.”
Secret Service Deputy Director Ronald Rowe is tipped to take over from Cheatle and will serve in the top role until President Biden makes a formal new appointment. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said he has the “utmost confidence” in Mr. Rowe, who became Deputy Director last April. Rowe joined the Secret Service in 1999 and has held various positions throughout his career. These include assistant Director for the Office of Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs, cybersecurity posts, and intelligence gathering.
From 2004 to 2008, he was employed in the Presidential Security Detail, and from 2008 to 2011, he was responsible for ensuring the safety of US Senators. He also took an active role in briefing lawmakers on the failures of the Trump rally.
