Houston Daily

Congressman Troy E. Nehls of Texas has written an op-ed for Newsweek, emphasizing a significant transformation within the United States Secret Service under President Donald J. Trump's administration. According to Nehls, this turnaround is attributed to the leadership of President Trump, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Secret Service Director Sean Curran.

Nehls highlights that during the first 100 days of President Trump's second term, recruitment numbers for the Secret Service have surged by nearly 200 percent. He notes that from January 20 to May 1 in 2024, there were approximately 7,000 applicants. In contrast, the same period in 2025 saw an increase to 22,000 applicants.

He attributes this surge in interest to a shift away from former President Joe Biden's policies focused on diversity and inclusion. Nehls criticizes these policies as detrimental to merit-based hiring within federal agencies.

Nehls recalls a security incident last July when multiple oversights allowed an attempt on President Trump's life in Butler, Pennsylvania. He describes how poor leadership under the Biden administration led to compromised security measures.

Following bipartisan criticism for this security lapse, former Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle resigned. Additionally, four agents from the Pittsburgh Field Office faced reassignment or leave.

Under new leadership with Sean Curran as Director of the Secret Service and Secretary Kristi Noem at DHS, Nehls claims that there has been a focus on abandoning racial discrimination and "woke ideology" in favor of merit-based recruitment.

Nehls states: “DEI is dead at DHS and merit is being restored under President Trump and Secretary Noem.”

The op-ed concludes by mentioning a viral recruitment campaign launched by the Secret Service featuring DJ Daniel, a young boy diagnosed with cancer who was made an honorary agent. This campaign aims to encourage more Americans to consider careers in law enforcement.

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