Saturday, 16 November 2024

AUSTIN PETERSEN: Is DEI responsible for the Secret Service's botched assassination response?


A Republican-led congressional committee has subpoenaed Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify publicly next week about the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. House Speaker Mike Johnson called for Cheatle's resignation, but even if she leaves it’s unlikely that the real potential culprit for the some of the failures that day are going with her; like the diversity hires whose behavior during the event clearly put President Trump’s life in more danger.

In a chaotic scene, President Trump narrowly escaped death simply by turning his head at the right time. Agents leapt to shield him, but a female agent rushing to the stage was much shorter, leaving Trump's head and neck exposed when he stood up. At least we got an iconic photo out of it, but that shouldn’t have even been possible.

When Trump entered the escape vehicle, a female agent fumbled her gun, unable to find her holster. Another appeared confused, prioritizing putting on sunglasses over security. A third looked frightened and uncertain. Not a good look, ladies. But don’t worry, you work for the government, so you’re not going anywhere.

Multiple government investigations into the Secret Service's handling of the incident are underway. Kimberly Cheatle has made DEI hiring of women her priority as Director, pushing for a quota of achieving 30% female staff as a goal by 2030.

“Secret Service personnel on the ground moved quickly during the incident, with our counter sniper team neutralizing the shooter and our agents implementing protective measures to ensure the safety of former president Donald Trump,” Cheatle said.

Yeah, they moved quickly to cover their own asses and blame local law enforcement despite the fact that Secret Service has overwatch on an entire operation such as this. Now that Cheatle has to answer to Congress, we can expect she’ll be doing some ducking of her own behind President Biden (or whoever is actually running the show over there).

The surge in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives has been wreaking havoc across various sectors of the economy outside of government too. But now even Microsoft has announced they’re shutting down their DEI unit. Conservatives are clearly taking ground in the culture wars, and stepping up their attacks is proving effective at least in the private market, if not the government. But that could change for the even better, as President Trump has announced he’ll end DEI in executive agencies if he wins a second term.

Since July 2022, references to DEI in the media have skyrocketed, increasing by 50 percent and becoming 15 times more common in social media posts, podcasts, and public statements from high-profile conservative voices, according to a Washington Post analysis. It's no surprise that DEI has emerged as a hot topic; it's a perfect example of how misguided corporate efforts to foster inclusivity and equity are leading to chaos, inefficiency, and potentially death.

The Secret Service’s DEI page says that they offer programs for “Federal Womens, Hispanics, African Americans, LGBT,” and every other group competing in the Oppression Olympics. The stated goal of these programs is because the left believes that America is racist and these quotas are to absolve us of our sins. But the American people disagree.

An overwhelming majority of Americans reject the notion that the U.S. is fundamentally racist. Three-quarters of respondents, including 70% of independents, believe children should learn the full history of race, both good and bad. This view is shared by 63% of Democrats, 55% of black voters, and 60% of Latino voters, with only 17% saying kids should be taught the U.S. is built on white supremacy.

Half of likely voters support banning race-based admissions and employment decisions in colleges and universities (50% support, 37% oppose). Voters also favor cutting government funding for DEI programs at public universities (44% support, 41% oppose) and ending mandatory diversity training in schools (44% support, 42% oppose). Independents consistently oppose DEI initiatives across the board.

Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith of the National Police Association said in an interview about the shooting that we shouldn’t be hiring anyone in any position based on their sex; but she suggested that in this particular case the fish rots from the head down in the Biden Administration. Sgt. Smith also argued that there are absolutely roles that men are more suited for due to the differences in biological sex. “There are no woman Navy Seals,” she said.

Yes, and so one now has to wonder if Secret Service standards ought to try and be somewhere near as important as Special Operations for the simple fact that their missions are nearly as or as critical. How about at least a standard that if you’re not tall enough to actually shield the person you’re protecting, then you’re on a desk assignment instead?

Have you looked in the cockpit of your Boeing jet you flew on last time to wonder if your pilot was a diversity hire? If so, you may not be surprised to learn that the White House doesn’t do diversity hiring when it comes to the pilots of Air Force One. Why can’t the American people have that same expectation when it comes to the agencies of the federal government, especially the ones devoted to national security questions like protecting former President Donald Trump.

It was recently announced that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would receive Secret Service protection, thanks to the assassination attempt on Trump and the former president putting in a good word. There’s more than a little hint of irony there in the fact that he’s seeking the same government’s protection who he believes killed his father. Quite frankly he, and probably President Trump might be better off with totally private security. I’m not donning my tinfoil hat just yet, but I’m also not writing off the possibility that this may have been more than just rank incompetence and DEI. Especially because a sitting member of congress, former Special Operations US Army sniper Cory Mills is hinting at the same. Trump’s best bet might be firing the DEI Charlie’s Angel’s squad and hiring the A-Team: Erik Prince.
 

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