President Biden on Wednesday named Kimberly Cheatle, a 27-year-veteran of the Secret Service, to be the agency’s next head as it faces scrutiny over missing text messages during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
In a statement, Mr. Biden hailed Ms. Cheatle’s “commitment to her job and to the Secret Service’s people and mission.”
“She is a distinguished law enforcement professional with exceptional leadership skills, and was easily the best choice to lead the agency at a critical moment for the Secret Service,” Mr. Biden said. “She has my complete trust, and I look forward to working with her.”
Ms. Cheatle served on Mr. Biden’s security detail when he was vice president. Last year, the president honored her service with a Presidential Rank Award.
She will rejoin the Secret Service from her current role as senior director at PepsiCo North America, where she managed facilities, personnel and business continuity.
Ms. Cheatle will replace outgoing director James Murray, who delayed his departure to answer questions about Secret Service agents’ actions surrounding the riot on Jan. 6.
A House committee is looking into how text messages from agents on that day were deleted, as well as claims by a witness that President Trump physically confronted Secret Service agents who refused to drive him to the Capitol.
Mr. Murray, who has led the agency since 2019, announced he would step down in July. He is departing to take a job with Snapchat, according to media reports.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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