What to know about the head of Secret Service as agency faces scrutiny

The U.S. Secret Service is at the center of questions about security after a shooting at a rally for former president Donald Trump in Butler, Pa. The agency, under the Department of Homeland Security, is charged with safeguarding the president, vice president and other top U.S. and foreign dignitaries.

Kimberly Cheatle is the 27th director of the U.S. Secret Service; she was sworn into office on Sept. 17, 2022. She oversees more than 7,800 special agents, uniformed officers and other personnel, according to the agency. She is also a former agent who served more than 25 years in the agency in various roles.

She is the second woman to serve as director, according to the agency’s website.

Cheatle had served on President Biden’s protective detail when he was vice president, the White House said.