Congressional members from both sides of the aisle questioned U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on Monday regarding the security failure that allowed a gunman to fire shots at former President Donald Trump in an assassination attempt. During the hearing, several Republican lawmakers raised concerns about gender and the agency's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee referred to Cheatle as a 'DEI horror story,' while Wisconsin Rep. Glenn Grothman and Texas Rep. Michael Cloud questioned the agency's hiring practices and standards. Cheatle clarified that all applicants must meet the same qualifications to become a special agent.
Conservative backlash against DEI has been growing since the Supreme Court's decision to end affirmative action in college admissions. The recent criticism against the Secret Service and Cheatle intensified following the assassination attempt at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, where female agents were part of the security detail.
Despite the criticism, Cheatle defended the agency's commitment to diversity and inclusion, citing the 30x30 Initiative aimed at increasing the representation of women in law enforcement. The initiative has garnered support from various police departments and law enforcement agencies across the country.
Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley condemned the sexist tropes used by Republicans to blame women for the security failures, accusing them of exploiting the incident to hinder progress towards racial justice and gender equity. Cheatle emphasized that the security lapse was due to a planning or communication gap, not related to DEI.
Organizations like Women in Federal Law Enforcement and the 30x30 Initiative have pushed back against the gender critique, highlighting the contributions of women in law enforcement and the importance of inclusivity. They view the attacks on DEI as disheartening and emphasize the need to continue efforts towards a more equitable and diverse law enforcement sector.
The Secret Service, under Cheatle's leadership, remains committed to the 30x30 Initiative and improving the representation of women in law enforcement, recognizing the importance of diversity in enhancing the agency's effectiveness.
