Wisconsin GOP Senator Ron Johnson recently expressed his lack of confidence in Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, citing concerns about security preparation ahead of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Johnson made baseless claims suggesting that diversity and inclusion initiatives within the agency may have contributed to the security shortcomings.
During an interview with Washington Post Live, Johnson stated that he had 'absolutely not' confidence in Cheatle and questioned whether the agency prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) over protecting President Trump. Despite Johnson's assertions, former President Trump commended the officers on his security detail during the incident.
Johnson went on to allege that Cheatle was more focused on DEI initiatives than on ensuring the safety of President Trump, although he provided no evidence to support this claim. Some conservative voices have also criticized female Secret Service officers assigned to Trump's security detail for their perceived failure to prevent the shooting that occurred.
When asked about Trump's responsibility for the current political climate post-shooting, Johnson suggested that Trump's behavior and rhetoric were influenced by how he was treated by Democrats and the media. Johnson referenced past allegations of collusion with Russian officials as an example of the treatment Trump received.
Johnson emphasized the importance of mutual respect in shaping behavior and called for a more respectful approach in political discourse to foster positive change.
