In a surprising and controversial move, President Joe Biden has reportedly authorized Secret Service protection for former Director Kim Cheatle, who resigned last month after facing bipartisan criticism over multiple security failures. Cheatle’s tenure came under heavy scrutiny following the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. The attack, which resulted in Trump being grazed by a bullet and left a firefighter dead, has exposed deep concerns about the Secret Service’s effectiveness and decision-making under Cheatle’s leadership.
Cheatle resigned just a day after a tense House Oversight Committee hearing on July 22, where she was grilled over the agency’s numerous lapses. Despite her departure, three Secret Service sources have confirmed that Cheatle is now receiving taxpayer-funded security due to threats against her. According to reports from RealClearPolitics, the threats have ranged from hostile social media posts to in-person encounters. The situation has led President Biden to order around-the-clock protection for Cheatle, a decision that many see as deeply ironic, given the failures surrounding Trump’s protection under her watch.
The move has left many questioning why Cheatle is receiving special treatment, especially given the widespread outrage from both the public and Secret Service agents over the botched operation in Butler. Critics argue that the focus should be on improving protection for figures like Trump, who nearly lost his life, rather than on shielding the very person responsible for the failures.
The relationship between the Bidens and Cheatle goes back years, with Cheatle having served as part of Biden’s protective detail when he was vice president. In fact, it was First Lady Jill Biden who reportedly recommended Cheatle for the director position in 2022. This close connection has only fueled speculation that the Bidens are going out of their way to protect an ally, even at the expense of taxpayer dollars.
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi declined to confirm the protection detail, stating that the agency does not comment on “protective intelligence” or former employees. However, this non-response has done little to quell the growing frustration among those who believe the focus should be on holding Cheatle accountable, not rewarding her with additional perks.
Many have noted the stark contrast between Cheatle’s quick assignment of protection and the administration’s reluctance to offer the same level of security to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., despite threats against him. It took widespread public pressure and an assassination attempt on Trump for Biden to extend protection to Kennedy, while Cheatle’s security was reportedly arranged almost immediately.
As more details emerge, the decision to grant Cheatle protection is sparking a broader conversation about accountability, transparency, and whether political favoritism is influencing decisions at the highest levels of government.
