Trump claims USSS Director Kimberly Cheatle 'never' gave him 'proper protection' after she resigns

WASHINGTON, DC: Former president Donald Trump responded to the news that Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the US Secret Service, had resigned following an attempted assassination of him in an exclusive interview with Fox News, saying, "She never gave me proper protection."

Republican and Democratic lawmakers put pressure on Cheatle to step down on Tuesday morning, July 23, as a result of the extensive security lapse that resulted in the shooting at Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, earlier this month.

Donald Trump narrowly escaped death during the rally

The former president momentarily turned his head during the rally, barely missing by a quarter of an inch the bullet fired by 20-year-old suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks' AR-15-style rifle.

Instead, the bullet struck him in the upper right ear. The bullet killed firefighter, father and husband Corey Comperatore as he protected his family from the shots, and severely injured two others.

Donald Trump says Kimberly Cheatle 'never' gave him proper protection

"She never gave me proper protection, so I ended up having to take a bullet for democracy," Donald Trump told the outlet after she resigned.

"Many requests were made by on-site Secret Service for more people, always with a turn down or no response," Trump added. "I have the biggest crowds in history, and they should be treated accordingly."

Trump told Fox News, though, that "big improvements have been made over the last week."

Kimberly Cheatle's letter to the US Secret Service

Kimberly Cheatle wrote to the US Secret Service on Tuesday morning, more than a week after an assassination attempt on Donald Trump's life by Thomas Matthew Crooks on July 13 at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and only one day after she gave testimony before the House Oversight Committee on Monday.

"To the Men and Women of the US Secret Service, The Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders and financial infrastructure," Cheatle wrote in a letter to the agency. "On July 13th, we fell short on that mission."

Cheatle said that the "scrutiny" over the last week "has been intense and will continue to remain as our operational tempo increases."

"As your Director, I take full responsibility for the security lapse," she wrote. "In light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that, I have made the difficult decision to step down as your Director," she added. 

An investigation into the Secret Service's management of security for the July 13 Trump rally has been launched by the inspector general of the Department of Homeland Security.

Internet approves Kimberly Cheatle's resignation as 'appropriate move'

Netizens supported Kimberly Cheatle's decision of relieving her position after the director of USSS failed to provide proper security to Donald Trump.

One X (formerly Twitter) user penned, "Appropriate move here. By far. It should not have taken this long to make changes."

Another tweeted, "Yes he is right, they have done big security breach," agreeing with Trump.

"It's about time! They should have fired her on July 13! That lady screwed up big time! There is no way she should continue working there!" remarked one user.

Someone else added, "Her days where numbered anyway we all know @realDonaldTrump would would have fired her on day 1 #YourFired."

"Democrats tried murdering their political enemy and missed," echoed another.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.