There is ongoing conversation about how a potential assassin was able to get close to Donald Trump, with some conservatives pointing fingers at the Secret Service for hiring female agents who bravely protected the former president from harm.
Critics on the US political right are questioning the ability of women agents to protect someone like Trump, citing reasons such as being too short, weak, or overweight. They are accusing the Secret Service of adopting “woke” hiring practices that put the former president in danger.
Despite the heroic efforts of several female agents who shielded Trump during a recent rally shooting in Pennsylvania, the scrutiny has shifted towards them and their boss, Kimberly Cheatle, the second-ever woman director of the Secret Service.
Critics like Matt Walsh have argued that there should not be any women in the Secret Service, emphasizing that only the very best are fit for the job and women do not meet that standard. Republican congressman Tim Burchett also expressed skepticism, referencing Cheatle’s previous role at Pepsi before leading the Secret Service.
The hiring practices of the Secret Service have come under fire from conservatives who believe that diversity initiatives like DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) are compromising the agency’s effectiveness. They argue that the drive for diversity has put the lives of officials, including the former president, at risk.
While the Secret Service has been working towards increasing the number of women in its ranks, conservatives are questioning whether diversity initiatives have impacted the quality of recruits. The backlash against DEI has been growing, with critics like Ohio Senator J.D. Vance advocating for an end to such efforts.
Despite the criticisms, Cheatle has stood by her position and the Secret Service has agreed to a review of its operations following the assassination attempt on Trump. President Joe Biden has expressed confidence in the Secret Service but acknowledged that there are questions about their preparedness for such events.
When Trump appeared at the Republican National Convention after the shooting, he was surrounded by an all-male Secret Service detail, which drew praise from some conservative commentators.
The scrutiny of the Secret Service’s hiring practices continues as questions arise about their ability to protect high-profile figures in the face of evolving security threats.
