Critics claim Cheatle dropped the ball on security measures at Saturday’s Trump rally — saying she has been too focused on woke “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” policies, such as making sure the department is 30 percent women by 2030, to take care of the agency’s more crucial business.
They note she even allowed a YouTube influencer to train with agents last year.
Cheatle, 53, served 28 years in the Secret Service and was part of its protective detail guarding then-Vice President Dick Cheney before she left to become head of global security at PepsiCo.
She returned to the agency when President Biden appointed her to its top post in 2022. At the time, Biden, 81, expressed confidence that Cheatle was “the best choice to lead the agency at a critical moment for the Secret Service.
“She has my complete trust, and I look forward to working with her,” the president said.
But two former high-ranking FBI officials told The Post after Saturday’s shooting that from what they can tell, the Secret Service under Cheatle completely blew it Friday.
“It was a total security breakdown from start to finish,” said former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker. “From the total security plan for the rally to the reaction once the shots rang out.
“Imagine if the shooter hadn’t been this kid but a well-trained cell? Our enemies are looking at us thinking we can take Trump or anyone out now without a problem,” the expert said.
Swecker was specifically critical of some of the protection detail around former President Trump after he was shot.
“What I was seeing was DEI,” Swecker said of the agents, who included three women. “And I am not anti-woman.
I have three daughters and three granddaughters, and they’d make great Secret Service agents.
