Rep. Crockett Questions Secret Service Bias in Trump Shooting Response

Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) raised concerns during a House Oversight Committee hearing about potential racial bias in the Secret Service's response to the shooting at a Donald Trump rally. Crockett suggested that officers may be slower to perceive a threat from young White males, even when armed with long guns.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) appeared before the House Oversight Committee on Monday to question the embattled director of the Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, about the agency's response to the shooting at a Donald Trump rally in Dayton, Ohio.

Crockett's line of questioning centered on the potential for racial bias among Secret Service agents, implying that slow response times to threats may be influenced by the race of the individual.

Rep. Crockett Questions Secret Service Bias in Trump Shooting Response

"I wanna talk about training and I want to talk about the fact that there’s been a little bit of dancing around as it relates to this being a suspicious person and this being a situation that was perceived to be a threat, and it seems as if there’s a different analysis that takes place," Crockett stated.

She specifically cited the case of Thomas Crooks, who was shot and killed by law enforcement after attempting to assassinate former President Trump.

Rep. Crockett Questions Secret Service Bias in Trump Shooting Response

"One of my questions has to do with if you have any bias training that your officers undergo," Crockett pressed.

Crockett, a former civil rights lawyer, drew upon her experiences arguing that law enforcement often fails to perceive a threat when dealing with young White males, even when armed.

Rep. Crockett Questions Secret Service Bias in Trump Shooting Response

"I have learned so many times, in having to deal with law enforcement, that there usually is not a perception of a threat when it is a young White male, even if they are carrying a long gun," she stated.

Crockett contrasted this with the perceived threat posed by individuals with darker skin tones.

"Yet a lot of times, at least in this country, when it comes to law enforcement, there is a perceived threat just by somebody having a little bit more melanin in their skin," she added.

Cheatle responded by confirming that bias training was included in the Secret Service's training program.

The hearing comes amidst growing scrutiny of the Secret Service following the attack, which killed one rally attendee and critically injured two others. Critics have questioned whether the agency was adequately prepared for the event and whether the response was influenced by political considerations.

Despite calls for her resignation, Cheatle has stated that she will not step down.

Crockett's comments underscore the ongoing concerns about racial bias within law enforcement and the need for continued efforts to address these issues.