Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Kristie Canegallo, and the leaders of the DHS agencies and offices with law enforcement responsibilities jointly released the following statement regarding recent comments questioning the presence of women in law enforcement.
“In the days following the attempted assassination of former President Trump, some people have made public statements questioning the presence of women in law enforcement, including in the United States Secret Service.
“These assertions are baseless and insulting.
“Every single day, in communities big and small across our great country, women are serving in federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and campus law enforcement. They are highly trained and skilled professionals, who risk their lives on the front lines for the safety and security of others. They are brave and selfless patriots who deserve our gratitude and respect.
“We in the United States Department of Homeland Security — the largest law enforcement organization in the federal government — will, with great pride, focus, and devotion to mission, continue to recruit, retain, and elevate women in our law enforcement ranks. Our Department will be the better for it, and our country more secure.”
This statement is jointly attributable to:
Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security
Kristie Canegallo, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security
Troy Miller, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Patrick J. Lechleitner, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard
David Pekoske, Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration
Kimberly Cheatle, Director of the U.S. Secret Service
Deanne Criswell, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Richard K. Cline, Director of the Federal Protective Service
Benjamine C. Huffman, Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
Richard McComb, Chief Security Officer of the Department of Homeland Security
###