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Wait - it was all the fault of women in the Secret Service? Glenn Grothman on Trump on R4.

70 replies

DisneyHag · 15/07/2024 07:11

Did I seriously hear that right? At about 6.54am on the Today programme, just now. Republican representative Glenn Grothman says the Secret Service is ‘so busy being woke they’re more concerned with employing women than ensuring they do a good job’. (Slight paraphrase.)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qj9z

This is him a couple of days ago:

newrepublic.com/post/183778/republican-rep-goes-unhinged-rant-women-emasculating-men

BBC Radio 4 - Today

Radio 4's flagship news and current affairs programme; including Thought for the Day

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qj9z

OP posts:
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5
user1484056932 · 15/07/2024 18:23

Scatterolight that's the picture I was on about & if that's her natural response then she is in the wrong job. Being in the secret service you swear an oath that you would take a bullet for your protectee, on that basis alone she needs to be fired.

ForestAtTheSea · 15/07/2024 18:04

@helpfulperson Yes, in the video I mentioned there is one man especially, on the left side in the stands who is trying to get the best video, looking like what is in front of him is entertainment. Somehow he's not realizing he could be the (accidental) target any second and assuming that whatever happened is now over.

helpfulperson · 15/07/2024 17:56

ForestAtTheSea · 15/07/2024 15:51

The candidate put himself at risk by intentionally rising above the agents, waving his hand for the photo op, while the agents were trying to build a shield out of themselves. It can be seen in the video here:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/15/secret-service-trump-rally-shooting

That's no-one's fault but his own for not following security protocol.

On that now famous photo, it seems like agenda-setting that it was everywhere immediatly. The press will have contributed to him getting votes by only using this photo at the beginning of the reporting.

I'm surprised, too, that after shots being fired, so many people still stand and look around instead of ducking or moving away, too.

I also was very surprised by how calm and unbothered the crowd look. I would have expected them to run away or drop to the ground.

Abhannmor · 15/07/2024 17:40

Hmm. Getting tall women shouldn't be an issue. I'm 5ft 11 and I know a woman who is a foot or so taller than me. She's no willowy beanpole either. Think rugby second row forward. Her partner is a mere stripping about 6ft 7. People are getting bigger for sure.

But maybe Trump wouldn't like women that tall? ' Wait , Where's my elevator shoes!'

saltinesandcoffeecups · 15/07/2024 17:37

scatterolight · 15/07/2024 17:18

This one.

It's completely perverse to have women risk their lives for men. A total modern madness. This female SS guard was only doing what came naturally to her and that wasn't throwing herself in front of a bullet for a man.

It's completely perverse to have women risk their lives for men

Why? It’s literally their job.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 15/07/2024 17:29

Footbull · 15/07/2024 16:59

So the issue is poorly implemented targets without support from good recruitment, selection and training policies. Not necessarily the targets/quotas in isolation.

It’s putting targets above competency and ability regardless of the stage of employment (recruitment, training, promotion, and core competencies).

Sadly, when you do this you swing the door wide open to asshats to make comments about women as whole and you instantly discredit any woman that is qualified.

At the end of the day these 3 could have been men who tripped over themselves and looked like idiots… would they have been judged as harshly? Probably, but not based on their gender. But 3 women who were likely hired, trained, and got their position due to hiring targets are just giving those who would criticize extra ammunition, while at the same time discrediting the competent women in the position.

I’m all for women doing whatever job they are qualified for and think that young girls should be encouraged to explore all professions. I am wholeheartedly against women getting into, staying in, and getting promoted in jobs their main qualification is their demographic.

scatterolight · 15/07/2024 17:18

user1484056932 · 15/07/2024 09:55

I've seen a picture afterwards & the men in his detail surrounded Trump & were on top of him providing a human shield. I then saw a secret service woman behind them cowering in the background looking scared. I'm sorry but your job is literally to take a bullet for your protectee & she had no intention of doing so. They are women that could do this job, but she isn't one of them & needs to be fired immediately.

This one.

It's completely perverse to have women risk their lives for men. A total modern madness. This female SS guard was only doing what came naturally to her and that wasn't throwing herself in front of a bullet for a man.

Wait - it was all the fault of women in the Secret Service? Glenn Grothman on Trump on R4.
missmollygreen · 15/07/2024 17:12

MrHarleyQuin · 15/07/2024 09:52

I took it as a racist remark, TBH and didn't even think about female representation, but yes, you are right.

How did you make it a racist remark?

Footbull · 15/07/2024 16:59

So the issue is poorly implemented targets without support from good recruitment, selection and training policies. Not necessarily the targets/quotas in isolation.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 15/07/2024 16:21

Footbull · 15/07/2024 16:02

Is this not a training issue? You're saying the quota gets badly prepared women in. But the quota is there to try and level the playing field because of the badly prepared men who got in on their contacts/frat house/just having a penis.

Fair point but there are some things that can’t be trained. If you fall apart in a situation you will suck at this job. Now in theory those people (man or woman) should wash out in training. But when you have targets for a certain demographic requirements in that training often aren’t as stringent.

Footbull · 15/07/2024 16:02

saltinesandcoffeecups · 15/07/2024 15:57

Honestly the performance by the USSS was just embarrassing. And if I were a qualified and competent female SS agent right now I’d be pissed.

The director was very vocal about DEI hiring goals of 30% women. And in my experience when goals like that are on the table then you start to see slippage in quality of candidates and in requirements. This fiasco just set women as whole collectively back in spectacular fashion.

FFS… of the three that were in front of the car one couldn’t holster her weapon, one didn’t know where to stand, and one was fiddling with her sunglasses.

There are plenty of women who would, have, and do thrive in roles like this. But there are also plenty who have no business being anywhere near them.

Is this not a training issue? You're saying the quota gets badly prepared women in. But the quota is there to try and level the playing field because of the badly prepared men who got in on their contacts/frat house/just having a penis.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 15/07/2024 15:57

Honestly the performance by the USSS was just embarrassing. And if I were a qualified and competent female SS agent right now I’d be pissed.

The director was very vocal about DEI hiring goals of 30% women. And in my experience when goals like that are on the table then you start to see slippage in quality of candidates and in requirements. This fiasco just set women as whole collectively back in spectacular fashion.

FFS… of the three that were in front of the car one couldn’t holster her weapon, one didn’t know where to stand, and one was fiddling with her sunglasses.

There are plenty of women who would, have, and do thrive in roles like this. But there are also plenty who have no business being anywhere near them.

ForestAtTheSea · 15/07/2024 15:51

The candidate put himself at risk by intentionally rising above the agents, waving his hand for the photo op, while the agents were trying to build a shield out of themselves. It can be seen in the video here:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/15/secret-service-trump-rally-shooting

That's no-one's fault but his own for not following security protocol.

On that now famous photo, it seems like agenda-setting that it was everywhere immediatly. The press will have contributed to him getting votes by only using this photo at the beginning of the reporting.

I'm surprised, too, that after shots being fired, so many people still stand and look around instead of ducking or moving away, too.

Ex-Secret Service agents say ‘massive realignment’ warranted after Trump rally shooting

One law enforcement official attributes assassination attempt on former president to ‘fundamental security failure’

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/15/secret-service-trump-rally-shooting

CormorantStrikesBack · 15/07/2024 15:45

I think she realised how exposed Trump was with her being shorter as at one point she put her hand up to try and block his head. But yeah, if he ducked down, got off the podium quicker rather than fucking about it would have been better. But shock, yadda, yadda, don’t know how you’d react until you’ve been in that position, yadda, yadda.

OP posts:
godmum56 · 15/07/2024 10:09

Fourecks · 15/07/2024 10:01

I did read a comment somewhere that pointed out his bodyguards may be reluctant to be too physical with Trump given his age. He's a decent height but he's still a man in his late 70s and manhandling him could do some damage. Same with Biden.

a broken limb is better than a dead pres.

TheQueenWhoNeverWas · 15/07/2024 10:05

user1484056932 · 15/07/2024 09:55

I've seen a picture afterwards & the men in his detail surrounded Trump & were on top of him providing a human shield. I then saw a secret service woman behind them cowering in the background looking scared. I'm sorry but your job is literally to take a bullet for your protectee & she had no intention of doing so. They are women that could do this job, but she isn't one of them & needs to be fired immediately.

Really? Because this photo shows a female agent putting her head directly in front of his heart.

Wait - it was all the fault of women in the Secret Service? Glenn Grothman on Trump on R4.
Fourecks · 15/07/2024 10:01

I did read a comment somewhere that pointed out his bodyguards may be reluctant to be too physical with Trump given his age. He's a decent height but he's still a man in his late 70s and manhandling him could do some damage. Same with Biden.

godmum56 · 15/07/2024 09:57

Frowningprovidence · 15/07/2024 09:43

I don't have much knowledge on this topic, but my first thought on watching the clip (rather than stills) was that her issue was getting trump to do what he was supposed to do. It looked a bit like she followed rehearsed training on what you are meant to do, but trump had his own ideas possiblely from adrenaline kicking in and stood up to shout to the crowd. and the men seemed to respond to that more. It actually looked like one man shuffled round to give a better view of the camera for trump, but it could have been to protect that side of trumps head.

yup he is supposed to do do what his bodyguards require of him. My reaction when I saw the video was that none of the bodyguards seemed to have the balls to force Trump to get down and get out of the way.

user1484056932 · 15/07/2024 09:55

I've seen a picture afterwards & the men in his detail surrounded Trump & were on top of him providing a human shield. I then saw a secret service woman behind them cowering in the background looking scared. I'm sorry but your job is literally to take a bullet for your protectee & she had no intention of doing so. They are women that could do this job, but she isn't one of them & needs to be fired immediately.

MrHarleyQuin · 15/07/2024 09:52

I took it as a racist remark, TBH and didn't even think about female representation, but yes, you are right.

WickedSerious · 15/07/2024 09:50

KrisAkabusi · 15/07/2024 09:19

It's not just about shielding. I know a ~5 4" female Close Protection Officer in the Irish police. She protectects visiting dignitaries. Nobody should ever mess with her! It's not her job to stop long range bullets, it's to stop anyone that shouldn't from getting close to her principal. I've also met some enormous men that do the same job. I wouldn't trust them any more than her just because she's smaller. Big can be slow.

I know it's not just about shielding,but in a situation where it's needed it doesn't make sense for the person being shielded to tower over their bodyguards.

Especially when that person has form for not doing as he's told.

Getonwitit · 15/07/2024 09:50

AzureAnt · 15/07/2024 09:24

I wouldn't want to comment except that people should get jobs on merit rather than to "fill quotas"

Pass me my arse

Edited

Totally agree with you. So many organisations are so busy being woke the refuse to employ the candidate that is best qualified to to the job. Box ticking matters more than ability these days.

PaleSunshineOfHope · 15/07/2024 09:44

TheQueenWhoNeverWas · 15/07/2024 09:35

I also wouldn't put it past Trump to prefer female bodyguards. I'd be staggered if he'd had them imposed on him against his will.

He'd probably want them wearing a lot less though.

Frowningprovidence · 15/07/2024 09:43

I don't have much knowledge on this topic, but my first thought on watching the clip (rather than stills) was that her issue was getting trump to do what he was supposed to do. It looked a bit like she followed rehearsed training on what you are meant to do, but trump had his own ideas possiblely from adrenaline kicking in and stood up to shout to the crowd. and the men seemed to respond to that more. It actually looked like one man shuffled round to give a better view of the camera for trump, but it could have been to protect that side of trumps head.

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