Author and political commentator Douglas Murray denounced Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on Thursday, accusing her of prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives over the agency’s primary responsibility of protecting former President Donald Trump.
In a passionate interview with Sky News Australia host Danica De Giorgio, Murray expressed his disgust at the lack of accountability shown by Cheatle and other officials who allowed DEI policies to undermine national security.
“It’s sickening to witness the smugness and careless disregard for the safety of the former president in light of their misplaced focus on DEI quotas,” Murray exclaimed. “What good does it do to meet diversity goals if you almost had a former president assassinated on live television in front of millions?”
Murray’s outrage was in response to the recent attempted assassination of Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the 20-year-old gunman was able to get within rifle range and open fire. It was later revealed that law enforcement had identified the gunman as a suspicious person a full hour before the failed attempt, yet no action was taken.
The blame, according to Murray, lies with Cheatle and others who prioritize DEI policies over national security. He went on to call for their immediate removal from power, stating that they are “a danger to the Republic.”
Murray also criticized Cheatle for compromising the physical requirements necessary for Secret Service agents, such as height and strength, in order to meet diversity quotas. He argued that these qualifications are essential for the job and should not be compromised for diversity goals.
“Isn’t it just common sense that if you’re assigned to protect the president, you should be at least as tall as him and physically capable of shielding his body?” Murray questioned. “We need the best, strongest, and most capable individuals to do this job. Diversity should not be a factor in life and death situations that can determine the fate of a nation.”
Murray also expressed his disdain for the recent Secret Service ad that highlighted their goal of recruiting 30% women by 2030. He argued that this focus on gender diversity is unnecessary and irrelevant in high-risk situations, stating that “you don’t need 30% women, you just need 100% the best.”
Biden appointee Kimberly Cheatle has prioritized DEI over emergency readiness. This is her legacy:
Female Secret Service agents fumbling with their firearms as the former president is rushed to the hospital after being shot. pic.twitter.com/JEM4YXsIeU
— Caroline Downey (@carolinedowney_) July 14, 2024
Murray passionately advocated for the prioritization of merit and qualifications over diversity quotas, particularly in critical roles such as the Secret Service. He offered his full support for Trump and called for officials like Cheatle to be held accountable for their reckless actions that could have had devastating consequences for the former president and the country as a whole.