The U.S. Secret Service has been thrust into yet another controversy after a member of Vice President Kamala Harris' protective detail was accused of sexually assaulting a female staffer. This incident is the latest in a series of troubling events for the agency, already under fire for security lapses related to former Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama. The accused agent, who has not been named, allegedly forced himself on the Harris staff member after a night of drinking during a campaign stop in Green Bay, Wisconsin, according to reports from Real Clear Politics.
The alleged assault reportedly occurred in the staffer's hotel room, with several others present at the time. According to one Secret Service source, the accused agent was so intoxicated that he was kicked out of the room and later passed out in the hotel hallway. Photographs of the unconscious agent were reportedly taken by witnesses.
A spokesperson for the Secret Service confirmed that the agency's Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating the incident. "The Secret Service holds its personnel to the highest standards," the spokesperson stated. "The employee has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation." Harris' office also issued a statement, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual misconduct. "The safety of our staff is paramount," the statement read, while declining to offer further details.
This allegation of sexual assault adds to a growing list of scandals and security failures that have plagued the Secret Service in recent years. The agency is already facing scrutiny for a significant lapse in security involving former President Barack Obama. Last month, an armed security guard working at a nearby bar mitzvah was able to approach Obama's vehicle in Hollywood, reportedly coming within inches of the former president without being noticed by agents. The guard later recounted his panic upon realizing the former president was inside the SUV, which was parked in an alleyway.
The Secret Service has also been harshly criticized following an attempted assassination of Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July. Gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks fired multiple shots, grazing the former president and killing one attendee before being neutralized by a Secret Service sniper. Five Secret Service agents were placed on leave following the attack, and the incident led to the resignation of then-Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle.
In response to the assassination attempt, acting Secret Service director Ronald Rowe Jr. called for a "paradigm shift" within the agency, admitting that significant failures had occurred, including a failure to properly secure the perimeter of the rally. The Senate Homeland Security Committee echoed this sentiment in a report released Wednesday, citing a lack of clear roles and accountability among Secret Service personnel during Trump's rally. The report criticized the agency for its insufficient coordination with state and local law enforcement, noting that these failings nearly resulted in Trump's death.
This series of incidents has compounded the Secret Service's reputation problems. In 2012, the agency faced another scandal when several agents were caught bringing prostitutes to their hotel rooms during a summit in Colombia. In response, the agency imposed strict new rules, including alcohol limits for agents on foreign trips and a ban on bringing foreign nationals to their rooms.
Adding to these challenges, the Secret Service faces recruitment difficulties. Cheryl Tyler, a retired Secret Service agent, recently expressed concerns about younger recruits in an interview. "Many younger recruits don't have the mentality or the stamina for the job," Tyler said, suggesting that the demanding hours and stringent requirements have made it difficult to attract new agents from the Gen Z demographic.
The latest allegations involving Harris' staffer have reignited public concern over the agency's internal culture and conduct. While the investigation continues, the Secret Service remains under intense scrutiny. In addition to the sexual assault allegation and the security lapses surrounding Trump and Obama, the agency has faced widespread criticism for its handling of major events, raising questions about its ability to safeguard top political figures.
As the Secret Service grapples with these mounting scandals, acting director Rowe has vowed to implement sweeping changes. However, with each new controversy, the agency's credibility and trustworthiness appear increasingly compromised.
