Former U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle will not have her top-level security clearance renewed, The Post has learned, as criticism continues over the agency’s handling of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania.
The decision follows resistance from congressional Republicans, including Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who opposed extending Cheatle’s access. Johnson, chair of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, has led inquiries into the Secret Service’s failures leading up to the July 13, 2024, incident, when a bullet grazed Trump’s right ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
A Secret Service spokesperson confirmed the clearance decision, saying, “Director [Sean] Curran has been modernizing the intelligence apparatus within the agency. During that process, he has determined that not all former directors will have their clearances renewed.”
The change came after RealClearPolitics questioned the agency regarding Johnson’s opposition, the outlet reported.
Cheatle, who served as director from 2022 to 2024, resigned roughly 10 days after the attempt on Trump’s life. She had been appointed by First Lady Jill Biden and faced widespread scrutiny over security lapses during the 2024 campaign cycle.
Republican investigations have cited sources alleging that Cheatle’s leadership rejected requests from then-operations head Curran for increased security resources for Trump. Curran, who later led Trump’s protective detail, has since been appointed to lead the Secret Service.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) recently accused Cheatle of misleading Congress when she denied having blocked requests for more support. Cheatle responded through her attorney, calling the claim “patently false” and saying it unfairly blamed individuals for what she described as a broader team failure.
“The U.S. Secret Service sponsors security clearances for all former directors for their knowledge of operational and national security matters,” a spokesperson explained. “The purpose… is to maintain formal and protected communication, including potentially sensitive and classified matters with former officials.”
The Biden-appointed former director is not the only official to lose access in the Trump era. In his second term, Trump has moved to revoke clearances more aggressively, including via a January executive order targeting 51 former intelligence officials who questioned the legitimacy of The Post’s reporting on Hunter Biden’s laptop.
Despite the high-profile security failure, Trump has expressed a measured response regarding the Secret Service.
“They had a bad day,” he told Lara Trump in a recent Fox News interview. “But I have great confidence in these people… They’re very talented, very capable.”
The agency has continued facing issues. In July, a Secret Service agent was caught attempting to sneak his wife aboard Air Force One during Trump’s visit to Scotland.