The assassination attempt on President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has intensified scrutiny of the Secret Service’s priorities under Director Kimberly Cheatle. Appointed by President Biden, Cheatle has emphasized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), a focus now questioned after the security breach that left Trump injured and one supporter dead.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel, Pennsylvania, fired eight shots from a rooftop 130 yards away from the rally stage, wounding Trump and killing Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief protecting his family. Several others were also injured.
Cheatle, who took over the Secret Service nearly two years ago, has prioritized DEI initiatives, aiming to increase the number of female agents to 30% by 2030. “I’m very conscious as I sit in this chair now of making sure that we need to attract diverse candidates,” she said in a CBS News interview. Her commitment to these goals has sparked controversy, especially in the wake of the attempted assassination.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) has announced that Cheatle will testify on July 22 about the agency’s security lapses. Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and conservative commentator, criticized the agency for rejecting requests to enhance Trump’s security. “There have been repeated requests to increase the security footprint around not just the residences of Donald Trump but the body itself, and they have been rebuffed,” Bongino stated on Fox News.
Footage from the incident showed female agents struggling to protect Trump, leading to further criticism. Videos depicted agents having trouble holstering firearms and appearing unable to provide adequate protection during the attack.
Cheatle’s DEI focus is under fire as critics argue it may have detracted from essential security responsibilities. In a USA Today interview, Cheatle expressed her vision of making diversity an integral part of the agency, a stance now facing backlash.
The FBI identified Crooks as the shooter. Despite being neutralized by snipers, the fact that he accessed the rooftop remains concerning. Reports suggest a local officer encountered Crooks but retreated, enabling him to fire at Trump and the crowd.
Elon Musk, who endorsed Trump following the attack, demanded Cheatle’s resignation. “Extreme incompetence or it was deliberate,” Musk tweeted. “Either way, the SS leadership must resign.”
As investigations proceed, the Secret Service’s priorities and effectiveness are under intense examination. Balancing DEI initiatives with the critical need for robust security is now at the forefront of discussions surrounding the agency’s future direction.
