The Independent Women’s Forum (IWF) has announced plans to sue the United States Secret Service (USSS) over its diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) policy, which the group claims discriminates against men and women by enforcing gender quotas.

The IWF is challenging the Secret Service's DEI policy, which enforces a 30% female quota, calling it illegal and potentially dangerous, as the Post Millennial reports.

This legal challenge follows an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.

The IWF claims that concerns regarding the physical capability of female agents surfaced during the incident. Thomas Matthew Crooks was neutralized during the attempt, but the IWF alleges that the DEI policy set the stage for the dangerous situation that unfolded.

Concerns Over Merit-Based Hiring Practices

The IWF's primary argument is centered around the Secret Service's DEI pledge, which enforces a 30 percent female quota for new hires.

According to the IWF, this quota violates both the 14th Amendment and Title VII of the Constitution, which prohibit sex-based discrimination. May Mailman, director of the Independent Women’s Law Center, expressed her concerns in a statement to Fox News, saying, “It is illegal for the government to discriminate on the basis of sex, and yet you have the Secret Service, of all agencies, saying that they want to have a 30 percent female quota."

Mailman added that this type of policy is particularly concerning in the Secret Service, where physical competence is essential for the safety of high-profile figures like the president. “It’s particularly dangerous in the Secret Service to hire strictly on the basis of gender instead of merit,” she said, emphasizing that female agents hired under this policy might not be judged solely by their skills.

Former Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle's Role

Kim Cheatle, the former director of the USSS, played a central role in promoting the DEI policy. Appointed by President Joe Biden in 2022, Cheatle supported the 30x30 initiative, which aims to increase female representation in security forces to 30% by 2030.

However, her tenure came under scrutiny following the incident in Butler. She resigned after a congressional hearing where lawmakers criticized the Secret Service’s handling of the situation. Prior to leading the Secret Service, Cheatle was the senior director of global security at PepsiCo and only the second woman to head the agency.

Challenges in Male-Dominated Field

According to Mailman, the 30 percent female quota could have long-term consequences for women working within the Secret Service. She explained that women in male-dominated fields often face additional scrutiny, and hiring quotas can exacerbate this problem. “It’s particularly harmful to women,” Mailman said, explaining that such quotas create perceptions that women were hired for their gender, not their qualifications.

The Independent Women’s Forum argues that hiring decisions based on quotas turn women into “tokens” in their field. This not only undermines their credibility but also makes it difficult for them to gain the respect of their colleagues. “All of the blame seems to be on women, including Kim Cheatle, all the way down,” Mailman noted, emphasizing how quota systems can backfire and reinforce negative stereotypes about female professionals.

The Broader Impact of Gender Quotas in Law Enforcement

The issue of gender quotas extends beyond the Secret Service. The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), another federal law enforcement agency, has also adopted the 30x30 plan. This widespread application of gender quotas in federal security agencies has raised questions about whether these policies are beneficial or detrimental to law enforcement as a whole. The IWF argues that, while increasing diversity is a noble goal, it should not come at the expense of competence or security.

Mailman highlighted how dangerous the situation could become if hiring quotas continue to take precedence over merit. She expressed concerns that female agents, regardless of their skills, could be viewed as less capable, further alienating them in their professional roles.

The Legal Case Ahead

The IWF's lawsuit against the Secret Service is expected to focus on the constitutional implications of the DEI policy. By enforcing a gender quota, the IWF claims, the agency is engaging in sex-based discrimination, a practice that is explicitly prohibited by both the 14th Amendment and Title VII. Mailman emphasized that these legal protections are in place to ensure that no one is discriminated against based on their sex, and she believes the DEI policy violates this principle.

The IWF's challenge comes at a time when many organizations are reassessing their DEI policies in light of legal challenges and public scrutiny. The Secret Service is just one of many government agencies facing questions about how best to balance diversity initiatives with the need for merit-based hiring.

Conclusion

In summary, the Independent Women’s Forum plans to take legal action against the United States Secret Service over its 30 percent female hiring quota, arguing that the policy violates the 14th Amendment and Title VII by engaging in sex-based discrimination.

The lawsuit was prompted by concerns over the safety and competence of female agents following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

The IWF contends that the policy not only undermines merit-based hiring but also harms the women it intends to support, reinforcing stereotypes and making their jobs more difficult in an already male-dominated field.

As the lawsuit moves forward, it could have significant implications for DEI policies in other federal law enforcement agencies as well.