WASHINGTON: US Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle acknowledged on Monday (Jul 22) that the agency had "failed" in its mission to prevent the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump.

"The Secret Service's solemn mission is to protect our nation's leaders," Cheatle said during testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

"On Jul 13, we failed," she said. "As director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse."