Rep. Josh Breaches (R-Okla.) introduced a bill in the House on Monday that would require “gender-neutral” evaluations of Secret Service agents, as some Republican lawmakers have targeted female agents in the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Trump.
Brecheen’s Secret Service Readiness Act would change the physical fitness standards for all Secret Service agents to be uniform.
“Enough Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work has gone before. Secret Service agents must be fully prepared and trained to do their jobs,” Breacheen said in a statement.
Conservatives have been quick to jump on the idea that DEI contributed to the Secret Service’s security failures during the assassination attempt on President Trump earlier this month, specifically blaming the high number of female Secret Service agents, with some arguing that women are less physically capable or that including women in the service is “woke.”
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and other senior national security officials strongly condemned the attacks.
“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 said in a statement Saturday. “These allegations are baseless and offensive.”
Trump’s close aides, including his family, Advocating for female agents.
The Secret Service has faced increased scrutiny following last week’s assassination attempt on President Trump, with some questioning how a gunman was able to get onto a rooftop in clear view of the former president.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has faced criticism and calls for her resignation, and she was grilled by the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Monday.
