Former Secret Service agent Rashid Ellis blasts agency’s diversity policies, linking them to security failures and a near-fatal attack on former President Trump.
At a Glance
- Rashid Ellis, a 13-year Secret Service veteran, criticizes DEI policies for compromising security standards
- Ellis claims DEI initiatives led to lowered morale and an exodus of senior agents
- The Independent Women’s Forum is producing a documentary featuring Ellis’s experiences
- Ellis argues that prioritizing diversity over qualifications has weakened the agency’s protective capabilities
- New leadership shake-up initiated to address DEI-related issues within the Secret Service
Former Agent’s Scathing Critique of DEI Policies
Rashid Ellis, a former Secret Service agent with 13 years of experience in elite units and top protective assignments, has come forward with a blistering critique of the agency’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. Ellis claims these initiatives have directly contributed to recent security failures, including an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
Ellis’s concerns center on the assertion that DEI policies have lowered hiring and promotion standards, resulting in compromised operational effectiveness. He argues that the prioritization of quotas and diversity over stringent qualifications has weakened the agency’s core capabilities, ultimately affecting their ability to safeguard high-profile figures.
“My initial thoughts when seeing the Butler assassination attempt was dread. My stomach was in knots watching it because we had known for years that this was coming,” Rashid Ellis said.
According to Ellis, the implementation of DEI policies has had far-reaching consequences within the Secret Service. He points to a significant exodus of senior agents and a general decline in morale among the ranks. Ellis contends that these changes have directly impacted the agency’s ability to perform its protective duties effectively.
“I believe agendas have taken priority at the United States Secret Service for a long time, which is why Butler and July 13 happened and why we got a president get shot,” Ellis said.
Ellis’s personal experience adds weight to his claims. He alleges that he was unfairly denied a leadership position due to DEI gender quotas, highlighting what he sees as a shift away from merit-based advancement within the agency.
The Secret Service’s commitment to DEI initiatives has come under intense scrutiny following recent security incidents. Former Director Kimberly Cheatle’s endorsement of the 30×30 initiative, aimed at increasing female representation in the agency, faced particular criticism in the wake of the Butler assassination attempt.
Further controversy arose when the Secret Service’s DEI office promoted participation in an LGBTQ+ conference during a critical campaign period, drawing criticism for potentially diverting focus from essential security operations. These incidents have fueled debate about the balance between diversity goals and maintaining the highest standards of protection.
In response to mounting criticism, the Secret Service has begun taking steps to address the issues raised by Ellis and others. New Director Sean Curran has initiated a leadership shake-up aimed at rectifying DEI-related problems within the agency. However, Ellis and his supporters believe it will take years to undo the damage caused by what they view as misguided diversity policies.
