U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has resigned following widespread calls from lawmakers for her to step down in the wake of the assassination attempt on

former President Donald Trump, sources told NBC News.

In her resignation letter, obtained from a senior official, Cheatle acknowledged the intense scrutiny faced by the agency and accepted full responsibility for the security lapse. "The scrutiny over the last week has been intense and will continue as our operational tempo increases," she wrote. "I take full responsibility for the security lapse."

"With a heavy heart, I have made the difficult decision to step down as your Director," Cheatle stated. She had led the Secret Service since September 2022. The exact date of her departure remains unclear.

Biden to Appoint New Secret Service Director 'Soon'

In a statement, President Joe Biden expressed gratitude for Cheatle's service and announced plans to appoint her successor soon. Following the assassination attempt on Trump, Biden ordered an independent review to assess the incident and anticipates its conclusions.

"We all know what happened that day can never happen again," Biden emphasized.

Former President Trump responded to the news on Truth Social, stating: "The Biden/Harris Administration did not properly protect me, and I was forced to take a bullet for Democracy. IT WAS MY GREAT HONOR TO DO SO!"

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., criticized Cheatle, stating she "instilled no confidence" during her testimony before exasperated lawmakers from both parties over the Secret Service's failure to protect Trump.

Cheatle, citing an ongoing investigation, refrained from discussing specifics during the hearing. "There was a plan in place to provide overwatch, and we are still looking into responsibilities," she testified.

Members of both parties on the committee demanded her resignation, accusing her of incompetence and providing "lame excuses."

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., sharply criticized Cheatle, saying, "You’re full of s--- today!" and accused her of dodging questions and being "completely dishonest" about her cooperation with the committee.

Cheatle's testimony did not satisfy the House Oversight Committee leaders, who had subpoenaed her. In a joint letter to Cheatle, Comer and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, D-Md., wrote, "Today, you failed to provide answers to basic questions regarding that stunning operational failure and to reassure the American people that the Secret Service has learned its lessons and begun to correct its systemic blunders and failures." Photo by United States Department of Homeland Security, Wikimedia commons.