A Secret Service agent assigned to Vice President JD Vance's security detail has reportedly been sidelined following accusations of leaking information about the Vice President's travels to MS Now. The agent is accused of providing details to the outlet for a story that highlighted concerns among agents regarding Vance's personal travel schedule.
White House officials expressed anger over the alleged disclosure of operational details, citing concerns about security and potential breaches of the family's safety protocols. The agent involved has not been publicly identified. The leak investigation has prompted an internal review by the Secret Service's internal affairs division, and the agent has been placed on administrative leave.
The MS Now report detailed Vance's planned travel, including an instance where he was set to fly with his son on a Marine Corps helicopter for a golf lesson, a plan that was ultimately canceled due to severe weather. The article also described how agents tasked with protecting Vance, his wife Usha, and their three young children felt overburdened by what were described as last-minute travel demands, leading to canceled days off and rushed deployments.
According to the report, the Secret Service used the codename 'Bobcat' for the Vice President, referencing his early career. The reporting cited anonymous sources, including individuals with knowledge of Vance's flight plans, administration officials familiar with his schedule, and another source concerned about potential reprisals.
In response to the article's publication, Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn issued a statement emphasizing the demanding nature of protective details. "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."
The office of the Vice President stated that the family is "grateful to the men and women of the US Secret Service who serve our country with distinction." The statement added, "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."
This development occurs amid the Trump administration's stated commitment to addressing what it terms 'unauthorized disclosures' to the press. Earlier in the month, four New York Times reporters were subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury in relation to their reporting on security features of President Donald Trump's new presidential aircraft.
It remains unclear whether the agent will face administrative punishments or potential criminal charges. The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House, the US Secret Service, and MS Now for comment.