Sexist claims women agents failed Trump are ‘insulting’, says US security chief

“There should not be any women in the Secret Service. These are supposed to be the very best, and none of the very best at this job are women,” Right-wing activist Matt Walsh wrote on X, former Twitter, in one typical post.

Many of the attacks cited the DEI – diversity, equity and inclusivity – hiring practices that some Republicans have long criticised as discriminating against white people, and white men in particular.

“The results of DEI. DEI got someone killed,” read one post on the popular Libs of TikTok account.

‘The highest standards’

The Secret Service has defended itself against such accusations in the past, with a spokesman telling US media just weeks before the assassination attempt that agents “are held to the highest professional standards… at no time has the agency lowered these standards”.

Ms Cheatle, who has so far shrugged off calls to resign, is to appear before Congress on July 22 for a hearing on the assassination attempt.