A significant development has emerged regarding the U.S. Secret Service, as former Director Kimberly Cheatle will not have her security clearance renewed, a decision closely tied to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. This move underscores ongoing efforts within the agency to address past security lapses and signals a shift in protocol for former high-ranking officials.

Cheatle’s resignation last year came under intense scrutiny following the July 13, 2024, incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, where then-candidate Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally. The event highlighted critical security failures that prompted widespread calls for accountability and reform within the Secret Service.

During the harrowing attack, a bullet grazed Donald Trump’s ear, while tragically, audience member Corey Comperatore was killed, and two others sustained injuries. The swift action of a Secret Service sniper, who fatally shot the assailant, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, from a nearby building, prevented further casualties.

Traditionally, the Secret Service, along with other prominent U.S. intelligence agencies like the CIA and FBI, routinely updated the security clearances of former directors to maintain a channel for communication on sensitive operational and national security matters. However, under the leadership of current Director Sean Curran, this long-standing practice is undergoing a notable revision.

A Secret Service spokesperson clarified that Director Curran is actively building a dynamic advisory team and modernizing the agency’s intelligence apparatus. As part of this comprehensive process, he has determined that not all former directors will have their clearances renewed, indicating a more selective approach based on current operational needs and strategic direction.

The decision to deny Cheatle’s security clearance renewal has resonated strongly, particularly among members of Congress who had previously voiced concerns about her tenure. Senator Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., and Senator Marsha Blackburn, among others, publicly argued against reinstatement, citing her leadership decisions that they believed contributed to the agency’s numerous failures surrounding the Trump assassination attempt.

Critics, including Senator Blackburn, stated that Cheatle “disgraced the Secret Service” by failing to prevent the attack and subsequently “stonewalled congressional oversight.” Their stance emphasized that, given the gravity of the security debacle in Butler, there was no justifiable reason for her to regain access to classified information or privileged communications.

Following the intense pressure from Republicans regarding the security failures, Kimberly Cheatle had resigned as director just ten days after the shooting. In her resignation letter to the agency, she candidly acknowledged the critical lapse, stating, “On July 13th, we fell short on that mission,” a statement that reflected the profound impact of the incident on the Secret Service’s core duty.