Three Secret Service officials, including the agency's top spokesman, have been placed on administrative leave as part of an internal misconduct investigation. Communications Director Anthony Guglielmi and two other officials from his department were escorted from their offices on Monday, according to sources. Their security clearances have been suspended, and their work devices have been seized.
The Secret Service has declined to comment on the specifics of the investigation, but reports indicate that the CIA and FBI are involved. This probe follows an earlier inquiry into the source of media leaks concerning former President Donald Trump's departure from Turkey after a NATO summit last month. Unconfirmed reports at the time described Trump leaving Air Force One in an airport catering cart, accompanied by a small group of aides, amid an alleged Iranian assassination threat.
Guglielmi has led the Secret Service's communications department since the Biden administration took office. His tenure included the aftermath of an attempted assassination of Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, which led to the resignation of the agency director at the time. Guglielmi previously served in similar roles for the Chicago and Baltimore Police departments.
Last month, Guglielmi announced that a Secret Service agent assigned to Vice President JD Vance was under criminal inquiry for alleged media leaks. This case stemmed from agents reportedly complaining about last-minute travel changes for Vance and his family, raising concerns about operational security being compromised.
These recent developments occur within a period of heightened scrutiny for the Secret Service, which has experienced several high-profile security lapses in recent years. The agency has also faced disciplinary actions against agents following the Butler shooting incident.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran, who took the helm after the Butler incident, has been working to reform the agency. Curran, who previously served on Trump's protective detail, has focused on improving training, equipment, and inter-agency coordination, while also emphasizing accountability for security failures.
Despite the challenges, the agency has also recorded recent successes. In April, agents intercepted an armed gunman before he could reach Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Additionally, two months later, the Secret Service collaborated with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to disrupt a suspected drone and sniper attack targeting the UFC Freedom 250 event.