The diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) nonsense being leveled at Vice President Kamala Harris by certain Republicans must stop. I say that as one who is strongly opposed to most DEI hiring programs.

I do believe that in putting identity politics before merit, qualifications and real-world experience, we run the risk of weakening or endangering the institutions that employ the practice. To be clear, I truly don’t care if someone is gay, straight, trans, black, white, brown, male, female, faith-based or an atheist. If that person is the best qualified for a job based on merit, he or she should get it. Period.

But if they are not qualified by merit and real-world experience, then we should make assessments — or lodge protests — based on the field a candidate is being slotted. For instance, Republicans are well within their rights to condemn — and investigate — the hiring of Kimberly Cheatle, the former head of the Secret Service who just resigned in disgrace.

In my opinion — and the opinion of many others — DEI programs should not be instituted in certain sub-groups of occupations that often hold human lives in their hands. Be they in the Secret Service, the FBI or any of our other three-letter agencies, the military, police and fire departments, pilots, train engineers, the space........

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