Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle Steps Down

US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has resigned amidst scrutiny over security lapses related to the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, sources tell CNN.

The resignation comes as lawmakers and an internal government watchdog continue investigations into the agency's handling of Trump’s protection. A gunman came close to killing the 2024 Republican presidential candidate at a rally in Pennsylvania this month.

In her resignation letter, Cheatle stated that she made the "difficult" decision to leave the agency "with a heavy heart" and emphasized that she doesn’t want her departure to distract agents from their mission.

"In light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision to step down as your Director," Cheatle wrote. She admitted that on July 13, the day of the shooting, the agency "fell short" of its mission to "protect our nation’s leaders."

The Department of Homeland Security announced that Secret Service Deputy Director Ronald Rowe has been appointed to lead the agency.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden expressed their gratitude for Cheatle’s decades of public service. "As a leader, it takes honor, courage, and incredible integrity to take full responsibility for an organization tasked with one of the most challenging jobs in public service," Biden said.

There have been bipartisan calls in Congress for Cheatle’s resignation, and Republican lawmakers have pushed for her impeachment. Lawmakers were particularly upset after her appearance before the House Oversight Committee on Monday, where she refused to answer many questions.

During the House Oversight hearing, Cheatle acknowledged "significant" and "colossal" problems with the rally’s security but resisted calls for her resignation. "I think I am the best person to lead the Secret Service at this time," she said on Monday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that the resignation is "overdue." "Now we have to pick up the pieces," Johnson said. "We need to rebuild the American people's faith and trust in the Secret Service. It has an incredibly important responsibility in protecting presidents, former presidents, and other officials in the executive branch, and we’ve got a lot of work to do."

Initially, Cheatle was adamant that she would not step down. Biden appointed her to lead the Secret Service in 2022.

In an interview with CNN last week, Cheatle said the agency was "solely responsible" for the design and implementation of security at the Pennsylvania rally, where the now-deceased gunman fired shots at Trump from an unsecured rooftop just a few hundred feet from the stage.

A bullet grazed Trump’s ear, and the incident left one rallygoer dead and others injured.

As more details emerged about the attempted attack, questions arose about the Secret Service's actions that day, including their failure to control access to the rooftop and how they handled information from local law enforcement identifying the would-be assassin as suspicious.

The Secret Service and Pennsylvania law enforcement, which assisted in the rally’s security, have sometimes contradicted each other in their accounts of what happened and who was responsible for the lapses.

Cheatle had promised full cooperation with the congressional and internal government investigations into the Secret Service’s actions that day.

Before becoming the USSS director, Cheatle managed Global Security at PepsiCo. She had previously served in the Secret Service for 27 years.

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Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle Steps Down

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 Lawmakers Question Secret Service Director About Trump Assassination Attempt

On Monday, US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle faced intense scrutiny from House lawmakers across party lines over the serious security lapses that led to the assassination attempt against Donald Trump.

Cheatle admitted to "significant" security issues at Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, where the former president was shot in the ear. She did not downplay the gravity of the incident, acknowledging its historical and political importance.

FULL HEARING: Secret Service Kim Cheatle Hearing on Trump Assassination Attempt Day 1 | LiveNOW FOX

Before Trump’s appearance on stage, Cheatle revealed that the Secret Service had been alerted "between two and five times" about a suspicious individual in the vicinity.

During the House Oversight Committee's questioning, Cheatle was repeatedly challenged about the security failures and the measures being taken to prevent a recurrence. However, Cheatle often deflected, citing the ongoing FBI investigation and failing to provide clear answers. She also remained steadfast despite bipartisan demands for her resignation.

Key points from the hearing include:

Cheatle Acknowledges “Colossal Failure”: Cheatle described the Trump assassination attempt as “the most significant operational failure at the Secret Service in decades,” comparing it to the failed assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan in 1981. Despite the gravity of this historic failure under her leadership, Cheatle maintained that she would not resign.

No Resources Withheld for Trump Rally: Cheatle asserted that all requested resources for the July 13 event were provided. Despite reports of previous occasions where the Secret Service allegedly denied Trump’s security requests and relied on local law enforcement for supplementation, Cheatle denied any such denials for the Butler event. GOP Rep. Jim Jordan questioned whether Cheatle had been untruthful in earlier statements about security requests, but Cheatle insisted that no requests were denied for this event.

The line of fire: Analyzing the Trump assassination attempt

Cheatle’s Evasive Responses: The committee’s top Republican and Democrat pressed Cheatle on unresolved issues such as whether any Secret Service agents were stationed on the roof where gunman Thomas Crooks fired shots and if Crooks had used a drone before the rally. Cheatle avoided direct answers, confirming only that the FBI was investigating the potential use of a drone.

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Lawmakers Question Secret Service Director About Trump Assassination Attempt

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Man Fatally Shot by Police Three Years After Release from 16-Year Wrongful Imprisonment 

Leonard Cure spent 16 years imprisoned in Florida after being wrongfully convicted of armed robbery in 2004. Since his release three years ago, he has been trying to rebuild his life, delivering inspirational talks to high school students, working as a security guard, and contemplating college at the age of 53 after purchasing a home.

However, his life was cut short when a Georgia sheriff’s deputy pulled him over on Interstate 95, just north of the Florida line, on Monday. Authorities reported that Cure was speeding over 90 mph (145 kph) and was to be arrested for reckless driving. Instead of going to jail, Cure ended up dead.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Cure complied until he was informed he was under arrest. The GBI stated that the deputy tased Cure when he did not follow commands, after which Cure allegedly assaulted the deputy. The deputy then used the Taser again, along with a baton, before shooting Cure. The incident was captured on the deputy’s body camera and patrol car dash camera. The footage, the officer’s statement, and other evidence will be reviewed before the GBI submits its findings to prosecutors, according to Stacy Carson, the GBI agent leading the investigation.

Studies indicate that Black Americans face a disproportionate risk of wrongful convictions and fatal encounters with police. Seth Miller, executive director of the Innocence Project of Florida, noted the intense anxiety experienced by those freed after wrongful imprisonment. Miller, who assisted in Cure's exoneration, said many exonerees live with a persistent fear of being re-incarcerated.

Miller explained that Cure was traveling to his new home outside Atlanta after visiting his ill mother when he was stopped. Just two weeks prior, Cure had shared his story with high school students at an Innocence Project event in Georgia. “Lenny was a good soul, cared about people,” Miller said. “He was getting his life back together.” Florida prosecutors, who had maintained contact with Cure after his release, were equally shocked by the incident. Cure was the first person exonerated by the Conviction Review Unit of Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor.

“The Leonard we knew was a smart, funny, and kind person,” Pryor said. “He had been working in security, hoping to go to college, and wanted to work in broadcast radio production.” Many details surrounding the shooting remain undisclosed. Camden County Sheriff’s Capt. Larry Bruce stated that Cure was initially reluctant to exit his vehicle but complied after multiple requests. The situation escalated when Cure resisted handcuffing, leading to a violent confrontation, according to Bruce.

The GBI described Cure’s actions as an assault on the deputy following the use of a stun gun. Authorities have not released the deputy’s name, who has been placed on administrative leave. Carson confirmed that the deputy was a white man. Black Americans have been nearly three times more likely to be killed by law enforcement than white Americans over the past decade, according to the Mapping Police Violence project. Additionally, the Equal Justice Initiative reported last year that Black people are seven times more likely to be wrongfully convicted compared to white people, based on a review of 3,200 exonerations since 1989.

Cure had been sentenced to life in prison for a 2003 armed robbery in Dania Beach, Florida. His conviction came after a second trial following a deadlocked jury in the first. In 2020, Broward’s Conviction Review Unit secured his release, presenting solid alibis and highlighting the lack of physical evidence or credible witnesses against him.

Cure was freed in April 2020, and his conviction was vacated a few months later. In August 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill granting Cure $817,000 in compensation, along with educational benefits. Dr. Joshua Golden, a dentist in suburban Fort Lauderdale, recalled replacing Cure’s front teeth in 2021. Despite his long imprisonment, Cure remained upbeat and showed no signs of bitterness.

“He was a really upbeat guy and excited,” Golden said. “There were no signs when he came to our office of any anger or any rage. He was happy to be out.” However, the fear of re-incarceration lingers for many exonerees. Christopher Ochoa, who spent 12 years in a Texas prison for a wrongful murder conviction, still experiences anxiety when dealing with police, even after 21 years of freedom and a successful career in law.

Man Gets Killed By Police Just 3 Years After Being Released From A 16 Year Wrongful Conviction

Ochoa recounted an incident a year after his release when he was pulled over by police. Although quickly cleared, the experience left him deeply shaken. “My girlfriend couldn’t understand why I was so shook up if I hadn’t done anything. Well, the last time I didn’t do anything, and I did 12 years in prison,” Ochoa said. He emphasized the importance of remaining calm and compliant in any interaction with police. “I just have to keep in mind not to say anything, not to rock the boat,” Ochoa said.

Man Fatally Shot by Police Three Years After Release from 16-Year Wrongful Imprisonment

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 Pennsylvania Judge Is Charged With Shooting Her Ex-Boyfriend As He Slept

A Pennsylvania magistrate judge, suspended from her duties, faces charges of shooting her former boyfriend while he slept, purportedly trying to make it appear as if he had done it to himself, law enforcement officials disclosed.

According to an arrest affidavit examined by the Associated Press, Sonya McKnight, 57, allegedly shot Michael McCoy in his Harrisburg residence on February 10, after he attempted to end their relationship. McKnight has been charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault. Susquehanna Township Police received a 911 call from McKnight, requesting an ambulance for her boyfriend, who she claimed had lost his vision, as reported by NBC News.

Reports indicate that McCoy, 54, had endeavored several times to persuade McKnight to vacate their shared residence following the termination of their year-long relationship. On February 9, upon returning home, McCoy discovered McKnight still present, dressed in pajamas on the couch, according to CBS News. McCoy left for a local bar and upon his return, informed McKnight of his intentions to enlist her mother's assistance in persuading her to leave.

After retiring to bed around 11 p.m., McCoy awoke an hour or two later with severe head pain and loss of vision in both eyes, according to CBS News. In the affidavit, it's noted that McKnight allegedly suggested to McCoy that he had inflicted the gunshot wound upon himself, despite McCoy's protestations to the contrary. McCoy sustained a single gunshot wound from his right temple to his left temple, resulting in permanent blindness in his right eye, authorities stated.

An investigation revealed that the firearm used was registered to McKnight, and gun residue was discovered on her hands shortly after the incident, NBC News reported. McKnight is currently detained in Dauphin County Prison on a $300,000 bail.

Pennsylvania Judge Is Charged With Shooting Her Ex-Boyfriend As He Slept

Previously, McKnight had been suspended without pay from her position as Dauphin County Magisterial District Judge following allegations of misconduct filed against her in September 2023 by the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board, as per FOX 43. In an unrelated incident in 2019, McKnight was involved in a shooting incident with her estranged husband, Enoch McKnight, as reported by PennLive. McKnight was cleared of any wrongdoing in the incident, which occurred three months prior to the investigation.

Pennsylvania Judge Is Charged With Shooting Her Ex-Boyfriend As He Slept

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Will Trump's Felony Conviction Be Overturned by Supreme Court Immunity Ruling? Key Details as Sentencing Is Delayed.

On Monday, former President Donald Trump asked a Manhattan court to overturn his criminal conviction following a Supreme Court ruling that grants some immunity to presidents from prosecution, multiple sources report. The ruling could invalidate certain evidence used by prosecutors and is expected to delay Trump's sentencing.

The Supreme Court ruled that presidents have "absolute immunity" from prosecution for actions within their "core constitutional powers," such as appointing officials, while they can still be prosecuted for actions outside their official duties.

Trump's lawyers formally requested that his criminal conviction be overturned based on this ruling, as reported by The New York Times. Trump was previously convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to reimbursement checks he sent to former attorney Michael Cohen for paying adult film star Stormy Daniels.

ABC News reported that Trump’s attorneys argued some evidence used in the case should be excluded under the immunity ruling. The Supreme Court stated that evidence regarding a president’s official acts cannot be used at trial, even if the crime itself is not immune from prosecution.

Trump had previously sought to delay his trial until the Supreme Court ruled on immunity, arguing that certain evidence from his presidency was protected, including public statements and an ethics form showing his reimbursement to Cohen. Prosecutors used this evidence at trial, including 2018 statements by Trump suggesting Cohen should remain loyal and not implicate him in the hush money scheme.

It remains uncertain if the immunity ruling would apply to Trump’s public statements. The Supreme Court noted that most of Trump’s public comments as president are covered by his official duties, but there could be instances where he spoke in an unofficial capacity, which would not be immune.

Trump might also claim that his 2017 reimbursement checks to Cohen are covered by immunity, although a federal judge previously ruled that these checks were personal and unrelated to his official duties. U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein stated that the payments were "a cover-up of an embarrassing event" and not part of Trump's official presidential duties.

Judge Juan Merchan, overseeing Trump’s hush money case, may decide whether to allow Trump to contest the verdict. The deadline for post-trial motions has passed, and Trump’s sentencing, scheduled for July 11, may be delayed as Merchan considers the immunity issue. Prosecutors have agreed to a potential two-week delay. If sentenced, Trump’s punishment could range from fines to up to four years in prison, though legal experts believe he is unlikely to face prison time as a first-time offender.

The immunity ruling will likely impact all four criminal cases against Trump. In his federal case for attempting to overturn the 2020 election, the Supreme Court’s ruling will lead to a review to distinguish between official and unofficial acts in the indictment. Trump has also claimed immunity in his federal case for allegedly withholding White House documents and in his state case for attempting to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. These cases, which have already faced delays, are expected to be prolonged further due to the immunity claims.

Trump was indicted in March 2023 on charges related to Cohen’s hush money payments and found guilty in May after a week-long trial. Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 before the 2016 election to silence her allegations of an affair with Trump, which Trump has denied. Trump then reimbursed Cohen through a series of checks in 2017, which prosecutors argued were falsely labeled as legal services. Trump pleaded not guilty, maintaining that the payments to Cohen were appropriately labeled as legal services. Cohen testified that Trump was directly involved in the hush money scheme.

President Biden addresses the Supreme Court’s Trump immunity ruling

The Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling on Monday, which overturned lower court decisions rejecting Trump's immunity claims, has been widely criticized. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in her dissent, argued that the ruling undermines the constitutional principle that no person is above the law.

Will Trump's Felony Conviction Be Overturned by Supreme Court Immunity Ruling? Key Details as Sentencing Is Delayed.

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Alleged Migrant Perpetrators Reportedly Stole Phones from 62 Women in NYC Crime Spree

A group of individuals, alleged to be migrants, were apprehended in the Bronx during the early hours of Monday for a series of criminal activities across New York City, which notably involved snatching phones from women, the police revealed.

Acting on a search warrant, the New York Police Department conducted an operation at a suspected hideout, leading to the arrests of seven individuals. The apprehended suspects are anticipated to face charges related to numerous robberies and grand larcenies, with ongoing efforts to locate additional individuals involved.

Authorities have indicated that all suspects are believed to originate from Venezuela. According to law enforcement officials, these men have been connected to a string of incidents amounting to at least 62 cases where women had their belongings, including phones, grabbed from them. The modus operandi involved the suspects swiftly approaching their victims, primarily women walking alone, seizing their phones or purses, and making a swift escape.

Investigators suspect that the motive behind the phone thefts was to exploit features like Apple Pay, utilizing credit cards associated with the stolen phones to make purchases within the United States or Central America. Subsequently, the phones were reportedly dispatched to Colombia, where they were wiped clean, as per police statements. In response to these developments, NYPD Assistant Commissioner Kaz Daughtry emphasized on social media the city's commitment to apprehend those engaging in criminal activities, underlining the substantial progress made in addressing this significant robbery pattern.

These arrests mark the second notable instance involving individuals identified as migrants within the city in recent weeks. Last week, a group of asylum-seekers was arrested for assaulting police officers in Times Square, an incident that was captured on video. Authorities continue to seek additional suspects associated with the attack.

Migrants On A 62 Robbery Crime Spree Early In NYC

Furthermore, law enforcement agencies, in collaboration with the Manhattan district attorney's office, are investigating whether four previously released defendants, who were not held on bail, traveled to California under false identities following their release. 

Alleged Migrant Perpetrators Reportedly Stole Phones from 62 Women in NYC Crime Spree

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 YSL Defense Lawyer Arrested on Gang-Related Charges

In a development tied to Georgia's extensive YSL racketeering conspiracy case, a lawyer representing one of the co-defendants alongside rapper Young Thug has been apprehended. Nicole Fegan faces allegations of engaging in criminal street gang activity and advising a suspect to tamper with evidence, according to authorities.

The arrest stems from suspicions that Fegan contacted a suspect involved in a separate case, informing them of active warrants and advising them to discard their phone. This communication allegedly occurred following a preliminary hearing related to a September 27, 2022 shooting incident in Northwest Atlanta. Police assert that Fegan, not representing the suspect, shared information obtained during the hearing and urged them to dispose of potential evidence ahead of an impending arrest.

Fegan, who represents defendant Tenquarius Mender in the YSL RICO case, saw her client separated from the primary prosecution last May. Mender, pregnant at the time, is set for a separate trial. Efforts to contact Fegan following her arrest were unsuccessful.

Young Thug YSL Defense Attorney, Nicole Fegan, Arrested On Gang Charges

Meanwhile, rapper Young Thug, also known as Jeffery Williams, faces trial for racketeering conspiracy alongside five other defendants. Prosecutors allege Williams led a violent criminal enterprise under the guise of his record label, Young Stoner Life (YSL). While Williams maintains his innocence, another rapper, Sergio Kitchens, known as Gunna, previously pleaded guilty to a racketeering charge in December 2022.

YSL Defense Lawyer Arrested on Gang-Related Charges

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 Woman Ordered to Pay $2.6M for False Accusation Against Brian Banks

A significant judgment has been ruled against a woman whose false accusation of rape led to the wrongful imprisonment of former prep football star Brian Banks. Wanetta Gibson has been ordered by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge to pay a total of $2.6 million in connection to the case.

The judgment includes a sum of $1.5 million as well as an additional $1.1 million covering fees, which encompass costs associated with the false claim and court proceedings. This ruling comes as a result of Gibson's accusation against Banks, dating back to 2002 when they were acquaintances at Long Beach Polytechnic High School.

Woman Falsely Accused Football Star Of Rape, She Was Awarded $1.5 Million

The California Innocence Project, an organization instrumental in Banks' exoneration, provided insight into the case, shedding light on Gibson's false allegations that resulted in Banks' wrongful imprisonment.

Woman Ordered to Pay $2.6M for False Accusation Against Brian Banks

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 Georgia Driver Hit with $1.4 Million Fine for Speeding at 90 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone

A Georgia resident faced an astonishing $1.4 million ticket last month after being pulled over for speeding on a freeway. Connor Cato was driving through Savannah on September 2 when he was caught going 90 miles per hour in a 55-mile-per-hour zone by the Georgia State Patrol.

Anticipating a 'super speeder' ticket due to exceeding the speed limit by 35 miles, Cato was surprised by the excessively high fine, far beyond the usual $1,000 maximum. Suspecting a mistake, he contacted the court, only to be informed that he must either pay the astronomical amount or appear in court on December 21 at 1:30 pm.

According to Cato, the court representative stated, '"$1.4 million," the lady told me on the phone. I said, "This might be a typo," and she said, "No, sir, you either pay the amount on the ticket or you come to court on December 21 at 1.30 pm."'

Later, Cato discovered that the exorbitant $1.4 million fine was merely a placeholder generated by e-citation software used by the local Recorder’s Court for 'super speeders.' The actual fine would be determined by a judge during Cato's mandatory court appearance.

Joshua Peacock, a spokesperson for Savannah’s city government, clarified that the intention was not to intimidate individuals into court. He explained, 'The programmers who designed the software used the largest number possible because super speeder tickets are a mandatory court appearance and do not have a fine amount attached to them when issued by police.'

Although the city has employed this system since 2017, they acknowledge the need to adjust the placeholder language to prevent confusion. Criminal defense attorney Sneh Patel expressed astonishment at the initial fine, stating that he had never encountered such a high amount for a misdemeanor traffic violation.

In Georgia, misdemeanor traffic violation fines cannot exceed $1,000, along with state-mandated costs. Patel emphasized that even for a misdemeanor of high and aggravated nature, the fine would typically be $5,000. He added that bond amounts exceeding $5,000 are usually reserved for more serious offenses, such as drug trafficking, murder, aggravated assault, or for individuals expected to evade their upcoming court date.

In Other SMH America News

According to the probable cause affidavit initially obtained by NBC DFW and reviewed by PEOPLE, Chad Christopher Stevens, 42, was accused of tampering with evidence and fabricating evidence by disposing of the dead body of his ex-girlfriend Heather Louise Schwab.

Georgia Driver Hit with $1.4 Million Fine for Speeding at 90 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone

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