Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.) introduced a bill in the House on Monday that would require “sex-neutral” evaluations for Secret Service agents, as some Republicans focus on female agents after the attempt to assassination of former President Trump.
Brecheen’s “Secret Service Readiness Act” would change the agency’s fitness standards so that they are the same for all agents.
“Enough with all the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives – we need our Secret Service agents to be fully prepared and trained to do their jobs,” Brecheen said in a statement.
Conservatives quickly latched onto the idea that DEI contributed to the agency’s security failures during the Trump assassination attempt earlier this month, specifically the prevalence of female Secret Service agents, with some postulating that women are less capable. physically or that your inclusion in the service is “woke.”
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and other senior security officials have strongly denounced such attacks.
“In the days following the attempted assassination of former President Trump, some people made public statements questioning the presence of women in law enforcement, including in the United States Secret Service,” Mayorkas said in a statement Saturday. “These claims are baseless and insulting.”
Members of Trump’s inner circle, including his family, also defended female agents.
The Secret Service has faced increased scrutiny following the assassination attempt on Trump last week, with some questioning how the shooter gained access to a rooftop that had a clear line of sight to the former president.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle faced calls for her resignation amid criticism. She was questioned by the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Monday.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
