Republican House Rep. Tim Burchett criticized the head of the Secret Service in the aftermath of the attempted assassination on Donald Trump.
Rep. Burchett of Knoxville, Tennessee, labeled Kimberly Cheatle a “diversity hire” amid heavy criticism of the agency’s handling of security at Trump’s now infamous rally in Butler, PA, on Saturday, July 13. Critics have questioned how shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks was able to access an open rooftop around 400-500 feet away from the former president’s stage, as well as the response to eyewitness concerns before the shooting began.
Furthermore, footage of a female Secret Service agent failing to holster her gun alongside her inability to shield the 6’ 3” Trump has brought increased scrutiny upon the Secret Service.
The agency has an objective to increase the number of female staff to 30% by 2030, while director Cheatle – formerly senior director of global security at PepsiCo – has previously called for more “diverse candidates” to join the agency.
Speaking to Fox News, Rep. Burchett blamed DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) initiatives for the failings at the Trump rally.
“Somebody really dropped the ball. You’ve got a DEI person, a DEI initiative person who heads up our Secret Service,” said Burchett. “You know she was working at Pepsi before this. I know she was a former CIA Secret Service agent, but still, this is what happens when you don’t put the best players in.”
Many on social media were in agreement with Burchett’s remarks about the dangers of DEI hiring.
Others speculated as to whether Cheatle would remain in post should Trump win the presidential election in November.
