A Secret Service agent assigned to JD Vance's security team has reportedly been sidelined for allegedly leaking details about the vice president and his family. The agent is accused of leaking the information to MS Now for a story about agents on Vance's security detail being dismayed by his personal travel schedule, sources informed CNN. White House officials became irate that operational details were described in the press, sparking concern about safety and a breach of the family's security, the outlet reported.
The alleged rogue Secret Service agent has not been identified. As part of the coverage, MS Now described Vance's and his family's planned travel, including flying with his son on a Marine Corps helicopter for a golf lesson - a plan that was later scrapped due to severe thunderstorms and high winds. It described how agents tasked with protecting Vance, his wife, Usha, and their three young children became 'fed up' with the vice president's last-minute travel demands, which force them to cancel their days off, drop their plans and race to the location where they are needed.
The article further described how the Secret Service referred to the vice president using the codename'Bobcat,'to reflect his early roots. It cited'people with knowledge of [Vance's] flight plans' and 'administration officials with knowledge of his schedule' as well as an 'additional source with knowledge of their travel who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.' A Secret Service agent assigned to Vice President JD Vance's security detail has reportedly been sidelined for allegedly leaking information about his family's travels The article described how agents tasked with protecting Vance, his wife, Usha, and their three young children became 'fed up' with the vice president's last-minute travel demands As part of the coverage, MS Now described Vance's planned travel, including flying with his son on a Marine Corps helicopter for a golf lesson In a statement at the time, Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn emphasized that protecting the nation's leaders requires constant vigilance.'
When US Secret Service Special Agents choose to join a protective detail, they understand the commitment required: long hours, frequent travel, and the need for constant flexibility,'Quinn stated.' Nights, weekends, and holidays are part of the job. Our agents work tirelessly to ensure protectees’ safety and security, while also preserving normalcy to the extent possible.
We are committed to supporting our personnel, which requires around the clock dedication and discipline. This is a job that requires absolute dedication and discipline.' Meanwhile, the vice president's office told the outlet that the family is 'grateful to the men and women of the US Secret Service who serve our country with distinction.'
'While protecting a Vice President with a large policy portfolio and a young and growing family presents a unique challenge, agents of the Secret Service do so with excellence every day.' But when the story was published earlier this month, it caught the attention of the Secret Service, FBI and White House officials, one of the sources said. The agent is now facing an internal review from the agency's internal affairs component and has been placed on administrative leave, the sources stated.
It remains unclear whether the agent will face any possible administrative punishments or whether criminal charges could be forthcoming. The vice president's office previously said the Vance family is 'grateful to the men and women of the US Secret Service who serve our country with distinction' Should agents who leak sensitive info about officials'families face harsh punishment or protection? The development comes as the Trump administration vows to crack down on what it has called'unauthorized disclosures'to the press.
Earlier this month, four New York Times reporters were subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury in connection with their reporting about security features onboard President Donald Trump's new presidential aircraft, which was gifted to him by the nation of Qatar. The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House, the US Secret Service and MS Now for comment.