During a House Oversight Committee hearing on Monday, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) spoke about the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump & Republicans’ attacks against diversity, equity & inclusion efforts.
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NewsTranscript
00:00recognize Ms. Presley from Massachusetts. Thank you. No one, absolutely no one, should fear for
00:07their life at a political rally, in a classroom, in a faith house, or in their home. We must do
00:16something about political violence in all its forms and gun violence in all of its forms.
00:23Now, Director Cheadle, you have noted that numerous investigations are ongoing related
00:27to the Secret Service response and that we can expect a report in the next 60 days. With the
00:32election nearly 100 days away, that is an unacceptable timeline and it makes people
00:38less safe. It also allows my colleagues across the aisle, Republicans additional time to spread
00:47dangerous misinformation, which also puts people in harm's way. Some Republicans have exploited
00:53this moment to continue to attack progress towards racial justice and gender equity in America.
00:59Disappointing, but not surprising. I hesitate to repeat their racist and sexist tropes, but in
01:05summary, Republicans have wrongfully and shamefully stated that hiring women and people of color
01:13hindered the response to the shooting. Now, this is part and parcel of Republican strategy
01:19to constantly attack necessary diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts to undermine the
01:26contributions that women, people of color, the disability community, and others make to this
01:31country each and every day, and it is disgraceful. In the wake of gun violence and tragic loss of
01:38life, Republicans are ignoring solutions like gun safety reform and instead trotting out sexist
01:45tropes. Can't say I'm surprised. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record reporting from
01:51CNN titled, Right-Wing Media Figures Blame Women in Secret Service and DEI for Security Failure
02:01in Trump Shooting. Without objection to order. This article quotes members of Congress and others
02:06that plainly accuse DEI and the hiring of women as a liability for the Secret Service. Women have
02:13been an integral part of the agency since 1971 and are held to the same standards as their male
02:19counterparts to use them as a scapegoat during a time of crisis is shameful and it is dangerously
02:27divisive. In fact, based on recent publicly available demographic data of the agency,
02:35the largest demographic groups among special agents are white and male.
02:42But to right-wing extremists, the truth doesn't matter. The lies they tell to advance their
02:48anti-diversity agenda, which is a key theme throughout Project 2025, will only make the
02:54American public less safe and more divided. And every day, Director Cheadle, that you fail
03:02to give us answers, they are given more oxygen to make their baseless claims that women and
03:09people of color are responsible for tragic events and that is dangerous too. Thank you
03:16and I yield my remaining time to Ranking Member Raskin. Thank you to the distinguished gentlelady
03:23from Massachusetts and thank you for those