Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has been called to account for a number of apparent security failures that led to an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump last Saturday – and while he has made no move thus far to answer those questions, he did take time on Saturday to issue a memo demanding people stop criticizing female agents.

In the memo, Mayorkas complained about the “baseless and insulting” suggestions that perhaps the Secret Service should not have put women on Trump’s security detail at the Butler, Pennsylvania, rally.

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

“In the days following the attempted assassination of former President Trump, some people have made public statements questioning the presence of women in law enforcement, including in the United States Secret Service,” Mayorkas’ memo began. “These assertions are baseless and insulting.”

Mayorkas went on to note that women serve honorably in law enforcement, risking their lives and serving their communities all across the country: “They are brave and selfless patriots who deserve our gratitude and respect.”

“We in the United States Department of Homeland Security – the largest law enforcement organization in the federal government — will, with great pride, focus, and devotion to mission, continue to recruit, retain, and elevate women in our law enforcement ranks. Our department will be the better for it, and our country more secure,” Mayorkas concluded.

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, critics pointed to Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle, who had previously vowed to increase the number of female agents — and questioned whether or not her priorities were in the right place. Some also noted that the female agents present at the Pennsylvania rally had been much smaller than Trump.

Cheatle is expected to appear before Congress on Monday, and Mayorkas is also facing a subpoena to field questions on the matter.