Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Saturday said it was “insulting” to question female Secret Service agents’ performance during the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
A week after the shooting, the department has struggled to answer major questions about it. However, Mr. Mayorkas, joined by his agency’s top leaders, indicated they saw nothing wrong with the women who were part of Mr. Trump’s protective detail that day.
“They are highly trained and skilled professionals, who risk their lives on the front lines for the safety and security of others. They are brave and selfless patriots who deserve our gratitude and respect,” the leaders said in a statement.
They said they were responding to “baseless and insulting” questions raised about the assassination aftermath, especially with one of Mr. Trump’s agents struggling to holster her handgun and another who seemed focused on her sunglasses.
Some critics have also pointed out that the female agents are much shorter than Mr. Trump, making them less of a shield than the male agents who swarmed to the president as bullets flew.
The women’s performance has led to a new focus on the diversity, equity and inclusion policies Mr. Mayorkas and the Secret Service have implemented.
“These agents wear the typical Secret Service outfits — Kevlar vests pressing against white shirts; black blazers with gold pins; dark sunglasses — but to an impartial observer, they do not appear to have the same poise, confidence and strength as the male agents around them,” wrote Christopher Rufo, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute.
He said the Secret Service has even adopted different fitness standards for male and female agents.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle will appear Monday on Capitol Hill to answer questions about the assassination attempt.
Last week she fled a group of Republican senators demanding answers about why her agency didn’t seal off access to the roof where a gunman was able to gain line of sight to Mr. Trump and fire as many as eight rounds.
One man was killed, two were critically wounded and Mr. Trump was hit in the ear.
The former president said in his acceptance speech Thursday, “The amazing thing is that prior to the shot, if I had NOT moved my head at the very last instant, the assassin’s bullet would have perfectly hit its mark, and I would not be with you tonight.”
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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