Following the recent assassination attempt on former President Trump, the US Secret Service is undergoing significant changes. Kimberly Cheatle, the agency's former director, has resigned, and Ronald Rowe Jr., the deputy director, has been named acting director.
Cheatle's resignation comes after a heated House Oversight Committee hearing into security failures that nearly allowed 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks to assassinate Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. In his resignation letter, Cheatle expressed his full responsibility for the security failure and his heavy heart in resigning.
Rowe, a 24-year veteran of the Secret Service, now fills the role of acting director amid growing public and political concern about the agency's effectiveness. He has held numerous leadership positions within the agency and is well respected by his peers. Prior to his tenure with the Secret Service, Rowe was a member of the West Palm Beach Police Department in Florida, where he was known for his intelligence and comprehensive expertise.
As acting director, Rowe will lead more than 7,800 special agents, uniformed division officers and technical law enforcement officers, along with administrative and technical staff. His appointment comes at a critical time for the agency, which is under scrutiny after Trump's assassination attempt.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas expressed his gratitude to Rowe for stepping in during this difficult time in the agency's history. He also expressed his confidence in Rowe and the men and women of the Secret Service, praising their dedication and commitment to their mission.
President Biden is now tasked with naming the next head of the Secret Service and has indicated he plans to make his selection soon. As the agency continues its independent review of the events of July 13, the president stressed the importance of ensuring that this security failure never happens again.
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