August 2024. Blues Vol 40 No.8

30 The

30 The Blues - August ‘24 value and more women in law enforcement will strengthen law enforcement and make us responsive to the diverse needs of our communities. We look forward to this collaboration that will help us improve our organization and better equip us to respond to the challenges of the future.” Of course the Secret Service is the federal agency currently under intense scrutiny, with many calling for its director, DEI hire, former director of security at PepsiCo, Kimberly Cheatle to resign. Many are questioning how the Secret Service, which has overall responsibility for protecting government officials, including the president and vice president, as well as presidential candidates, apparently dropped the ball in Trump’s security for the Pennsylvania rally where he was shot. A number of lawmakers have demanded she resign or be fired, however those calls have gone unheeded. What is worse is Cheatle’s explanation for why a Secret Service or police sniper was not placed on the roof where the alleged shooter shot Trump from. For anyone familiar with law enforcement tactics, her explanation is absurd, the New York Post reported. “That building in particular has a sloped roof at its highest point. And so you know, there’s a safety factor that would be considered there that we wouldn’t want to put somebody up on a sloped roof,’ she told ABC News. “And so, you know, the decision was made to secure the building from the inside.” Somehow, a 20-year-old nerd with practically no shooting experience was able to get up on the roof with snipers INSIDE and take at least 7-8 shots toward the president, one which found its mark. One rally attendee, retired fire chief Corey Comperatore, was killed as he dove on his wife and daughter to protect them. Two others were seriously wounded. Cheatle’s explanation left tactical operations experts stunned and outraged. James Gagliano is a retired FBI supervisory special agent and Army veteran, who said he didn’t understand her explanation. “You just have to work with the terrain you’re presented with,” he said. Meanwhile Dan Bongio, conservative talk show host and a former Secret Service agent and NYPD police officer was apoplectic about her reasoning. “The Secret Service director said, ‘don’t worry, we didn’t put someone on the roof because it could’ve created a dangerous situation.’ Like what? Someone getting shot in the head?” Bongino railed on his “Dan Bongino Show” podcast. Joe Kent, a former Army Special Forces officer and congressional candidate wrote on X that the slope of the roof as an excuse doesn’t explain the overall security breach. “You can’t get on the roof, but you identified the building/roof as a threat, so what’s the excuse for not securing the perimeter & all access points to the building/ roof?” It should be noted that the slope on the roof where the sniper who ultimately took out the shooter was posted is actually steeper than where the gunman was. Despite saying “the buck stops with me,” Cheatle is refusing to resign, despite calling the Secret Service’s response “unacceptable.” “The buck stops with me,” she told ABC. “I am the director of the Secret Service, and I need to make sure that we are performing a review and that we are giving resources to our personnel as necessary.” Cheatle had also prioritized the 30x30 Initiative and buying into DEI over providing an effective security package for its protectees, including Trump. On the day of the shooting, Trump’s security detail included three women, none of which appeared to be over 5-foot 5, a fact that wasn’t lost on former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker in an interview with the New York Post. “The women I saw up there with the president–they looked like they were running in circles. One didn’t know how to holster, the other one didn’t seem to know what to do, and another one seemed not to be able to find her holster,” he said. “DEI is one thing, competence and effectiveness is another, and I saw DEI out there.” On Monday night at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, President Trump’s security detail looked much different. His detail featured only male agents, and all appeared to be closer to President Trump’s 6-foot-3 frame. It was reported today that Microsoft laid off its entire Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team. Perhaps the federal government should follow their lead.

FULLEN & FRIENDS A lot of people say they will do something, and they never do. Such conduct is really evident with many politicians. They say they will be there for their constituents, no matter what. Unfortunately, often this is not the case. Something refreshing happened in Galveston County however, after Hurricane Beryl wrecked multiple communities throughout Galveston County and southeast Texas. Jimmy Fullen, the Republican candidate for sheriff in Galveston County, put his money and his heart, where his mouth was. No power. No A/C. No lights. Nothing. Jimmy, along with some of his friends and fellow colleagues, cooked and delivered hot meals to hundreds of residents of Galveston County, from Jamaca Beach to Dickinson. At face value, one might say “so what” or “and….” or “it was no big deal”. I’d beg to differ. It was a VERY BIG DEAL, especially to those who were hot, dehydrated, hungry and feeling helpless, just trying to get through to the next day. Now to be fair, we have already endorsed Fullen. So, this is just exactly what I said in the opening…just an observation. He didn’t have to do it. He wasn’t obligated. He just stepped up and did what no one else was doing. He took care of those in his community that needed his help. Kudos to Jimmy Fullen and all his friends. You guys came to the rescue of Galveston County residents when they needed you most. You are the best of the best. Job well done. Thank you for not forgetting where you came from. ---The Blues. The Blues - August ‘24 31