The U.S. Secret Service is investigating a significant security breach during former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Asheville, North Carolina.
According to Daily Mail, a female agent’s decision to leave her post to breastfeed her child without notifying the site agent triggered the investigation.
The incident is one of several recent issues that have put the Secret Service under intense scrutiny, leading to investigations and calls for reform.
The security lapse occurred minutes before Trump’s motorcade was set to arrive at the rally. The agent, who was responsible for a crucial security position, left to breastfeed her child in a side room, failing to inform her superiors.
During a final walkthrough, the Site Agent discovered the female agent absent from her post. She was found in the side room with family members who had not been screened by security. Security protocols were further breached when the agent’s family members were escorted into the room by staff who were not approved to handle such duties. The entire situation has raised alarms within the Secret Service.
The Secret Service has since launched an investigation into the incident. Anthony Gugliemi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, emphasized that all employees are expected to adhere to the highest standards. He noted that while the breach did not impact the North Carolina event, the specifics of the incident are under review.
This breach is the latest in a series of security lapses that have plagued the agency. Recently, the Secret Service faced backlash when an agent from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) was spotted improperly wearing a Secret Service patch. Internal action was quickly taken to address this misuse of agency insignia.
The string of errors has led to increased scrutiny of the agency, particularly following a near-assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. The incident prompted widespread criticism of the agency’s leadership.
The controversy surrounding the Secret Service has reached Congress, where lawmakers are calling for reform. Rep. Ritchie Torres, a vocal critic of the agency, introduced legislation aimed at bolstering the security around high-profile protectees. The proposed law would expand the protective radius around individuals under Secret Service protection and shift financial crimes responsibilities away from the agency.
The pressure on the Secret Service has also led to changes in its leadership. Kimberly Cheatle, the former Secret Service director, resigned after testifying before Congress about the Butler incident. Ronald Rowe, the Acting Director, has also come under fire and faced severe criticism from lawmakers during his testimony.
A congressional task force has been established to investigate the Butler rally further. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are also conducting their investigations into the event, seeking to understand how such a significant breach could have occurred.
Rep. Torres has been particularly vocal about the need for reform, arguing that the safety of a president or presidential candidate cannot be left to chance. His comments reflect growing concern about the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission amid mounting security challenges.
The Secret Service's history of controversies, including the Butler incident and the misuse of agency patches, highlights the urgent need for systemic changes within the organization. These incidents have underscored the importance of rigorous security protocols and the consequences of even minor lapses.
