Following the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, bipartisan lawmakers have joined forces to establish a task force to probe the security lapses that led to the near miss assassination attempt on former President Trump.
In the wake of Tuesday's resignation announcement by Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, Congress is moving to establish a bipartisan task force to investigate the colossal security failures that allowed a man to approach and fire upon former President Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The beleaguered presidential appointee faced bipartisan calls for her removal after the near-miss assassination attempt that left one man dead and two others seriously wounded. Lawmakers from both major political parties have expressed frustration and futility over Cheatle's mechanical testimony in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, where she refused to answer basic questions about the security lapses.
Congressional Task Force to Investigate Secret Service Failures in Trump Assassination Attempt
The internal Secret Service review, FBI investigation, and independent inquiry announced by President Biden have been met with skepticism, given the exhaustive nature of government reviews that often take months to complete. Simultaneously, images of undersized female agents clumsily fumbling with their sidearms during the attack have raised concerns about the agency's preparedness.
Moreover, reports that Cheatle may have won her position through support from Jill Biden have led to accusations that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) may have superseded meritocratic principles in the assignment and advancement of Secret Service personnel.
Congressional Task Force to Investigate Secret Service Failures in Trump Assassination Attempt
Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis., directly questioned Cheatle regarding the 30x30 initiative, which aims to increase female representation in federal law enforcement agencies to 30% by 2030. Cheatle denied advocating for the 30x30 pledge, despite her agency's support for the initiative.
The Secret Service is among the signatories to the 30x30 pledge, along with other federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and US Capitol Police. The initiative has faced criticism from Chris Rufo, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, who argues that DEI practices prioritize immutable characteristics over capabilities, aptitude, and performance.
Congressional Task Force to Investigate Secret Service Failures in Trump Assassination Attempt
Rufo has pointed to the Secret Service's acknowledgment that it "prioritizes recruiting women candidates" and has created an affirmative action plan that aggressively targets female and other minority groups for recruitment and retention.
In the aftermath of the assassination attempt, Trump was flanked by a detail of tall, burly, male agents at a Republican National Convention venue in Milwaukee, raising concerns about the potential role of DEI preferences in the assignment of Secret Service personnel to presidential protection details.
Congressional Task Force to Investigate Secret Service Failures in Trump Assassination Attempt
While the Secret Service and FBI have historically enforced different physical fitness standards for male and female agents, critics argue that this policy degrades public safety and erodes public trust.
The congressional task force will have a mandate to investigate the security failures that led to the Trump assassination attempt, including the potential role of DEI policies in the agency's operations. The task force will also examine the Secret Service's internal review, FBI investigation, and independent inquiry to assess their effectiveness.
Congressional Task Force to Investigate Secret Service Failures in Trump Assassination Attempt
The appointment of a new Secret Service director will be closely watched by lawmakers and the public, as they seek to restore confidence in the agency's ability to protect the nation's highest officials.
