The head of US Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, responded on Saturday to misogynistic remarks made about the female Secret Service agents who accompanied President Trump during his attempted assassination.

In a statement, Mayorkas said, "These assertions are baseless and insulting," as he acknowledged the "highly skilled and trained" women serving in law enforcement across the country for putting "their lives on the front lines for the safety and security of others."

One week has passed since a shooter opened fire at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, leaving the candidate wounded and one bystander dead.

"They are brave and selfless patriots who deserve our gratitude and respect," Mayorkas said, as he praised the women, noting that the Department of Homeland Security will "with great pride... continue to recruit, retain and elevate women in our law enforcement ranks".

Read next: GOP Rep. accuses Mayorkas of denying Trump extra protection

However, they are now under severe scrutiny due to the almost disastrous attack, along with their supervisor Kimberly Cheatle, who is the only other woman to hold the position of director of the federal agency responsible for defending current, previous, and prospective presidents.

Right-wing activist Matt Walsh took his views to X, saying: "There should not be any women in the Secret Service. These are supposed to be the very best, and none of the very best at this job are women."

There should not be any women in the Secret Service. These are supposed to be the very best, and none of the very best at this job are women.

pic.twitter.com/LH3fa6FVhl

— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) July 14, 2024

"The results of DEI. DEI got someone killed," said one post on the popular Libs of TikTok account, referring to the diversity, equity, and inclusivity hiring policies that Republicans have long criticized and which Walsh also reiterated. 

Listen to the audio again. You can hear the female agent frantically shouting: “What are we doing? What are we doing? Where are we going?”

The fruits of DEI on display yet again.

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— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) July 14, 2024

Blame it on the DEI 

Just a few days ago, the US Secret Service condemned as an "insult" rightwing attacks on the performance of female agents after Trump's foiled assassination attempt, stressing that the existence of such personnel and a woman as agency chief are the product of diversity programs.

Anthony Guglielmi, the Secret Service's communications head, told NBC that it was an "insult to the women of our agency to imply that they are unqualified based on gender," adding that unfounded claims like those undermine "professionalism, dedication, and expertise" of members. 

Theres an untrue assertion that a member of the former President’s team requested additional security resources & that those were rebuffed. This is absolutely false. In fact, we added protective resources & technology & capabilities as part of the increased campaign travel tempo

— Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) July 14, 2024

Cheatle, the Secret Service director, has come under severe scrutiny as claims of significant security flaws emerge. She was handed a subpoena for testimony before Congress next week.

She is facing right-wing charges that she only got the job because she supported measures to enhance DEI in the past. Julia Pierson, the Secret Service's first female director, resigned in 2014 following high-profile security failings.

Elected Republicans, who are accustomed to blaming DEI for alleged military weakness and even the collapse of a bridge in Baltimore harbor, have leveled similar claims.

The US DHS is launching an open investigation into security lapses that resulted in Trump’s attempted assassination during a weekend rally last week, announced the federal department.

While giving a presidential speech at a Pennsylvania rally, former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump was shot in what was coined an assassination attempt by Rep. Senator Rick Scott. 

Moments after the shooting, security was able to approach Trump's podium to evacuate him. Trump appeared to have sustained mild wounds, as blood was seen running from the side of his head.