A United States Secret Service agent responsible for protecting Vice President JD Vance has been placed on administrative leave following a major security breach. The agent divulged highly sensitive information about protective operations to a woman he met on a date, who was later revealed to be an undercover journalist.
The Undercover Sting and Sensitive Revelations
During the encounter, which was captured on video and released by the media organisation led by James O'Keefe, the agent disclosed critical details about the vice president's travel schedule. He also explained advanced security tactics used to safeguard the second most powerful man in America.
The agent, who has not been publicly named by the Secret Service, went as far as showing the woman his official badge and sending her photographs of himself aboard Air Force Two. These actions occurred despite the agent acknowledging on camera that he had signed strict non-disclosure agreements covering the very information he was sharing.
Agent's Background and Immediate Fallout
According to reports from NewsNation, the agent has served with the Secret Service for five years, a tenure that began during the Biden administration. In the video, he admitted to voting for Joe Biden over Donald Trump and expressed strong disapproval of certain immigration enforcement actions, stating: 'I hate that [ICE] s***.'
Following the publication of the video, the Secret Service acted swiftly. The agent was placed on administrative leave and had his security clearance suspended. Deputy Secret Service Director Matthew Quinn announced an immediate investigation, stating the agent could face further disciplinary action.
Official Response and Agency-Wide Retraining
In a strong statement, Deputy Director Quinn emphasised the service's zero-tolerance policy. 'The US Secret Service has no tolerance for any behavior that could potentially compromise the safety, privacy or trust of our protectees,' he said. Quinn also apologised directly to the Vance family for this violation of their trust and privacy.
The breach has prompted a significant internal response. Quinn revealed that the Secret Service has issued an order for all personnel to retake the agency's mandatory anti-espionage training. This move aims to ensure employees remain vigilant against threats from individuals seeking to exploit them for information about protective operations.
An internal memo described the agent as having been 'deliberately targeted and manipulated' by a citizen-journalism outlet that misrepresented itself. Quinn reaffirmed the service's 160-year tradition of discretion, stressing there is 'no tolerance for employees who fail to meet this standard.'
Security Incident Preceding the Scandal
This security lapse comes just days after another serious incident involving the vice president's security. A 26-year-old man, William DeFoor, was arrested by the Secret Service after allegedly breaking into Vance's secondary residence in Cincinnati. The suspect is accused of smashing four windows with a hammer and vandalising a Secret Service vehicle.
Vance and his family were not at the Ohio home at the time. The vice president later thanked the Secret Service and local police for their rapid response, posting on social media that he was grateful for their actions following the attack by what he described as 'a crazy person.'
The Secret Service investigation into the agent's conduct remains ongoing.
