Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended the women who serve in the US Secret Service, saying they “deserve our gratitude and respect.”
in statement In a statement released Saturday, Mayorkas wrote that “comments questioning the presence of women in law enforcement” in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump were “baseless and offensive.”
Mayorkas’ statement came a week after the attempted assassination of Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania, when the former president was struck above his right ear by a “penetrating bullet” by 20-year-old suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks, who opened fire from the roof of a nearby building and in direct line of sight of Trump.
“In the days following the assassination attempt on former President Trump, some have made public statements questioning the presence of women in law enforcement, including the U.S. Secret Service,” Mayorkas wrote. “These allegations are unfounded and offensive.”
A statement regarding recent comments questioning the presence of women in law enforcement: https://t.co/NaTdDM0R85 pic.twitter.com/dkCY7Yoalb
—Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (@SecMayorkas) July 20, 2024
“Every day, in communities large and small across this great nation, women serve in federal, state, local, tribal, territorial and university law enforcement agencies,” Mayorkas added. “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.”
In the wake of the assassination attempt on President Trump, the Secret Service is facing increased questioning about security lapses at Trump rallies.
The House Oversight and Accountability Committee subpoenaed Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify before the committee on the Trump assassination attempt on July 22. In an interview with ABC News, Cheatle revealed that the reason they did not place a sniper on the roof where Crooks was was because there were “security factors” in having someone on a “sloping roof.”
Cheatle reportedly recently acknowledged to House members that there had been “mistakes and loopholes.” Axios.
