A US Secret Service officer assigned to Vice President JD Vance’s protective detail has been placed on administrative leave after footage allegedly shows the agent divulging sensitive security information to someone he believed was a love interest.
In the video, the agent revealed the secrets on a date with a woman who was really an 'undercover journalist' working for conservative influencer James O'Keefe.
The USSS said it investigated the matter and suspended the employee’s security clearance, and revoked access to agency facilities and systems while the incident was investigated. The agency also issued an order for all personnel to retake required anti-espionage training.
USSS Deputy Director Matthew Quinn told Fox News in a statement: "The US Secret Service has no tolerance for any behavior that could potentially compromise the safety, privacy or trust of our protectees. This incident is under investigation and the employee involved has been placed on administrative leave with his clearance suspended and access to agency facilities and systems revoked.
"The US Secret Service has also issued an order for all personnel to retake the agency’s required anti-espionage training in order to ensure employees are aware of the threats posed by individuals aiming to exploit agency employees for information about our protective operations," Quinn added.
"The US Secret Service has a 160-year-old tradition of discretion that sets this agency apart, and we have no tolerance for employees who fail to meet this standard. The US Secret Service deeply apologizes to the Vance family for this violation of their trust and privacy. The faith our protectees place in this agency is not something the US Secret Service takes lightly, and we are committed to taking the necessary actions to ensure that a similar breach of standards does not occur again," the statement concluded.
In a post on X, O’Keefe said undercover footage allegedly showed a USSS agent he claimed was assigned to Vance’s protective detail sharing sensitive information with someone he believed to be a romantic interest.
According to O’Keefe, the agent discussed protective formations, shift schedules, travel movements and advance security procedures, and allegedly sent images while aboard Air Force Two.
O’Keefe wrote that the agent involved was "recorded on hidden camera providing an undercover journalist with sensitive security information" and allegedly discussed "protective formations, shift schedules, travel plans, & real-time locations."
He alleged the agent shared information "sometimes days in advance" and acknowledged signing paperwork prohibiting disclosure of that kind of privileged information.
O'Keefe alleged the agent was a "holdover from the Biden administration" and that he held anti-ICE and anti-Trump administration personal views.
O’Keefe said his organisation coordinated with the USSS prior to publication and redacted certain operational details at the agency’s request.
The USSS is tasked with protecting the president, vice president and other designated officials, and operates under strict confidentiality rules governing operations.
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