22 July 2024

The Cost of Woke Ideology in Homeland Security

Brian J. Cavanaugh

The assassination attempt on President Donald J. Trump on July 13, 2024, has underscored a critical issue within the United States Secret Service and, more broadly, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS): the problematic influence of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. Initially introduced under former President Obama and aggressively expanded under President Biden, these policies have prioritized ideology over merit and mission, with severe consequences for our nation's security.

In a future Trump administration, the role of Secretary of Homeland Security will be crucial, leading efforts to restore security and sovereignty to our borders and deporting illegal immigrants who have violated our laws. Now, there is an additional, pressing priority: the termination of DEI policies and the department's focus on its primary national security mission. While the intentions behind DEI initiatives can be debated, the unintended consequences have proven detrimental. These policies have diverted critical resources, introduced divisive practices, and impeded merit-based performance and decision-making.

The primary argument for eliminating DEI policies is their detrimental impact on operational effectiveness. DEI initiatives have imposed additional administrative burdens and operational constraints that detract from DHS's core mission. Instead of streamlining processes to respond swiftly to national security threats, the focus has shifted to meeting DEI benchmarks. This shift has compromised the department's ability to perform its essential functions efficiently. In the case of the Secret Service, the prioritizing DEI over meritocratic standards may have contributed to the lapses leading up to the assassination attempt on President Trump and have played a role in the vacuum of leadership and accountability within the Secret Service.

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