RealClearPolitics has raised eyebrows with disturbing details surrounding the culture at the U.S. Secret Service. The revelations point to a troubling emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) under the agency’s current leadership, raising questions about its effectiveness in fulfilling its critical protective mission.
Sean Curran, the newly appointed chief, is under scrutiny for his personnel decisions. He recently promoted the chief of staff of former Director Kimberly Cheatle, a figure criticized for her handling of the agency, to a prominent role overseeing more than 3,000 personnel. This move, according to RealClearPolitics reporter Susan Crabtree, has generated some backlash: “Counter critics argue she’s a respected, preeminent cybersecurity expert.” Nevertheless, the perception of compromised integrity persists.
Among the more alarming aspects of the reported practices is the notion that physical fitness and operational readiness are being sidelined. One example is a Secret Service agent on the detail of Vice President Kamala Harris, who had not passed fitness tests yet concurrently modeled clothing for a plus-size apparel brand. The agent featured in an ad campaign described her ability to balance “crossfit training” with law enforcement duties, prompting many to question the agency’s standards and priorities.
Further complicating matters, a push during Cheatle’s tenure aimed for a 30% recruitment rate of women by 2030, allowed overweight recruits, and even sanctioned agents moonlighting in modeling. Crabtree cited other peculiar DEI initiatives, including overseas LGBTQ+ conferences aimed at promoting a “trans-inclusive culture” and a decrease in physical training standards to accommodate transgender agents. This dizzying focus on inclusivity has left many feeling that efficiency and security protocols are being compromised for the sake of politically correct values.
Crabtree’s report also highlighted alarming conduct, such as an agent who fell asleep while on duty at the U.N. General Assembly, inadvertently leaving behind a fully automatic weapon. Such incidents suggest that immediate actions or reforms are necessary to restore the agency’s credibility and functionality.
As Curran steps into the role of Chief, the urgency for reform has never been greater. His challenge is to balance the pressure for diversity with the essential need for a physically and mentally capable force that can effectively protect the nation’s leaders. The existing culture, which some have deemed “woke,” could jeopardize the very essence of what the Secret Service was established to do.
The time is ripe for a reevaluation of priorities within the agency. Can Curran manage to disentangle the perceived excesses of DEI from the core operational duties of the Secret Service, or will the agency continue to flounder in a sea of political correctness? The stakes are high, and the public will be watching closely.
"*" indicates required fields
