The US Secret Service is addressing criticism from right-wing media personalities and lawmakers who have blamed female agents for security failures during the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. In the aftermath of the incident, some individuals in the right-wing media sphere have raised concerns about the female agents present on stage with Trump, suggesting that they were unable to adequately protect someone larger and taller than themselves or questioning their professionalism.
However, law enforcement professionals, including a former Secret Service deputy director, have strongly refuted these claims. The agency has denounced the misogynistic assertions that the female agents were incapable of safeguarding Trump, emphasizing that such unfounded allegations undermine the professionalism, dedication, and expertise of their workforce.
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi stated, 'It is an insult to the women of our agency to imply that they are unqualified based on gender. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion ensures that we attract the best talent, fostering a robust and effective team that reflects the society we serve.'
Furthermore, there have been baseless allegations from some figures on the right, including certain members of Congress, suggesting that Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle was appointed solely due to diversity initiatives. Cheatle, the second female Secret Service director in the agency's history, has faced unwarranted criticism regarding her appointment.
Guglielmi reiterated the agency's support for its personnel and condemned any attempts to discredit their contributions, stating, 'We stand united against any effort to undermine our personnel and their invaluable contributions to our mission. We are appalled by the disparaging and disgusting comments directed at any of our personnel.'
