The US homeland security chief responded forcefully on Saturday to misogynistic attacks against the women Secret Service agents who bravely protected Donald Trump from a potential assassin. "These claims are unfounded and offensive," Alejandro Mayorkas stated, addressing accusations from the US political right that the Secret Service's 'woke' hiring practices nearly led to the former president's death. Mayorkas commended the "highly skilled and trained" women in law enforcement who risk their lives for the safety and security of others, calling them "brave and selfless patriots who merit our gratitude and respect." He emphasized that the Department of Homeland Security will "with great pride... continue to recruit, retain, and elevate women in our law enforcement ranks."
It has been a week since a gunman attacked a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, resulting in one death, two injuries, and leaving Trump unharmed. Several women were among the Secret Service agents who shielded Trump with their bodies as gunfire erupted. However, these agents, including their director Kimberly Cheatle, the second woman to lead the agency responsible for protecting presidents, are now under intense scrutiny. Right-wing activist Matt Walsh argued on X that there should not be any women in the Secret Service, claiming that the best agents are not women. These criticisms often reference DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusivity) hiring practices, which some Republicans view as discriminatory against white people, particularly white men.
The Secret Service has previously defended its hiring standards, stating that agents are held to the highest professional standards and that these standards have never been lowered. Cheatle, who has not resigned despite calls to do so, is scheduled to testify before Congress on July 22 regarding the assassination attempt. Additionally, the Secret Service has agreed to an independent review ordered by President Joe Biden. Not all conservatives support the criticisms; top Trump adviser Chris LaCivita praised the women agents who protected Trump, calling those who criticized them "idiots."
