While the GOP is angry about a number of different things, here is what Trump had to say…
Former President Donald Trump defended a female Secret Service agent who was under intense scrutiny after a recent assassination attempt on him. During a rally in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Trump recounted the dramatic events of July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he faced a grave security breach.
Trump praised the bravery of the unnamed female agent who, despite the life-threatening circumstances, did everything possible to protect him. He noted how “bullets were flying” and his security team moved swiftly to shield him, with this particular agent stationed on his right, doing everything she could to ensure his safety. Trump remarked, “She was a beautiful person, giving her all to shield me. She got crushed and then criticized by the so-called fake news for not being tall enough.”
He emphasized the agent’s courage and dedication, highlighting that she was willing to “take a bullet” for him. Trump pointed out that her bravery was overshadowed by unfair criticism due to her height. “She was criticized because she wasn’t tall enough. But her bravery was unparalleled; she was shielding me with everything she had,” Trump said.
Following the assassination attempt, some commentators and donors voiced their opinions on the Secret Service’s performance. Conservative commentator Dinesh D’Souza criticized the agency’s push to increase female recruits, suggesting it was driven more by diversity goals than by merit. He wrote on social media, “The Secret Service’s emphasis on increasing female recruits to meet a 30% goal undermines its effectiveness. This is a result of DEI policies.”
Similarly, podcaster Matt Walsh argued against the presence of women in such critical roles, asserting, “If there’s a woman doing this job, it means a more qualified male was overlooked.” Tesla CEO Elon Musk also chimed in, suggesting that agents must be of a sufficient size to effectively protect their charges. “A small person as body cover for a larger individual is inadequate,” Musk stated, emphasizing that the issue is not gender but the ability to perform the job effectively.
In response to the incident and the subsequent scrutiny, the Secret Service faced increased pressure. Kimberly Cheatle, the agency’s director since August 2022, resigned after bipartisan criticism over the security lapse that allowed the assailant, Thomas Matthew Crooks, to get dangerously close to Trump. In her resignation letter, Cheatle took full responsibility, acknowledging the need for accountability.
The House Homeland Security Committee has since launched a thorough investigation, issuing subpoenas to uncover more details about the security failures that led to the attempt on Trump’s life.