Biden Announces New Secret Service Director

U.S. President Joe Biden, surrounded by members of the U.S. Secret Service, makes a surprise walk down Barracks Row in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 25, 2022. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced that he will appoint Kim Cheatle as the next director of the U.S. Secret Service.

Cheatle has worked for the Secret Service for more than 25 years, including serving in Biden’s security detail when he was vice president in the Obama administration, before moving to the private sector.

“I am proud to announce that I have selected Kim Cheatle to be the next Director of the United States Secret Service,” Biden said in a statement.

“Jill and I know firsthand Kim’s commitment to her job and to the Secret Service’s people and mission,” he added. “When Kim served on my security detail when I was Vice President, we came to trust her judgement and counsel. 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. She has my complete trust, and I look forward to working with her.”

The position doesn’t require a Senate confirmation.

Cheatle currently oversees facilities, personnel, and business continuity as a senior director at PepsiCo North America. Before that, she served as assistant director in the Office of Protective Operations within the U.S. Secret Service.

The White House said that Cheatle held a number of leadership roles during her time with the U.S. Secret Service. She will be the second woman in the role.

Mayorkas Welcomes Appointment

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas welcomed the appointment, calling Cheatle an “experienced leader” who will bring a “fresh perspective” to the role.

“I commend President Biden on the selection of Kimberly Cheatle to serve as the next Director of the U.S. Secret Service," Mayorkas said in a statement on Wednesday.

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas speaks during an event on funding climate resilience at Florida International University in Miami, Fla., on Aug. 1, 2022. Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

Mayorkas said Cheatle has “deep knowledge and understanding” of the agency and its mission.

“I am confident that her skillset, combined with her fresh perspective, will ensure the Secret Service builds on its strong foundation to grow and evolve into an even more effective agency,” he added.

“I thank Director Cheatle for heeding the call to return to public service and I look forward to working together to champion the work of the U.S. Secret Service.”

Mayorkas and Biden thanked outgoing Director Jim Murray for his service to the country for almost 40 years.