Secret Service Halts Security Clearance Renewal For Kim Cheatle

The Secret Service blocked the renewal of former Director Kimberly Cheatle’s top-level security clearance, RealClearPolitics reported Friday.

Agency officials reportedly paused the process after being asked about Republican Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson’s opposition, according to the outlet. (RELATED: Secret Service Sat On ‘Classified Threat’ Over A Week Before Trump Assassination Attempt, Watchdog Finds)

“Following the security debacle in Butler, the former director of USSS made the right decision to resign,” Johnson told the outlet. “I see no reason for her security clearance to be reinstated.”

BREAKING: Chairman James Comer and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin write bipartisan letter calling on Kimberly Cheatle to resign. pic.twitter.com/yTWnMaNNP3

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 22, 2024

The outlet reportedly questioned the agency about Johnson’s objections to renewing Cheatle’s clearance, and the process was halted shortly thereafter, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

In response, the Secret Service issued a vague statement saying current Director Sean Curran, a Trump appointee, had determined that “not all former directors” should retain their security clearances. (RELATED: Six Secret Service Agents Suspended Over Security Shortcomings In Trump Assassination Attempt)

A Secret Service spokesman told RCP the purpose of retaining clearances is to ensure “formal and protected communication, including potentially sensitive classified matters with former officials.”

“Since appointed, Director Curran has been building a dynamic team of knowledgeable advisors that will help implement his vision for the agency,” the spokesman said. “Additionally, Director Curran has been modernizing the intelligence apparatus within the agency. During that process, he has determined that not all former directors need to have their clearances renewed.”

Cheatle resigned in July 2024, one day after testifying before the House Oversight Committee.

Republican Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Judiciary Committee member involved in the joint investigation into the Butler assassination attempt, told RCP that Cheatle’s handling of the incident should permanently disqualify her from holding any security clearance.

Apparently Kim Cheatle

Doesn’t want to answer questions pic.twitter.com/Ux118fi1jF

— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) July 22, 2024

“Kim Cheatle disgraced the Secret Service by failing to prevent a horrifying attempt on President Trump’s life,” Blackburn told the outlet. (RELATED: ‘You Owe President Trump Answers!’: Video Shows GOP Senators Confront Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle)

“Not only did she oversee one of the greatest security failures in our nation’s history, but she also stonewalled congressional oversight and avoided my colleagues and me when we attempted to question her,” she continued. “Under no circumstances should she be allowed to regain her security clearance, and it is shameful she would even try.”