A Secret Service agent assigned to JD Vance’s protective detail is “the subject of an administrative investigation, and potential criminal inquiry, involving allegations of compromising operational and information security”, according to the Secret Service chief of communications.
The agent came under suspicion after allegedly providing information that appeared in an MS Now report about the vice-president’s planned Marine Corps helicopter trip with his son to a golf lesson, a source told CNN.
The report also claimed there was a “building morale problem” among the agents assigned to protect Vance and his family. The trip was ultimately called off due to severe thunderstorms.
The source said the publication of those travel plans triggered unease among the Secret Service, the FBI and White House officials, who “fumed over operational details being described in the press”. A second source told CNN that investigators identified the individual they believe was responsible for leaking the information.
The Secret Service confirmed the investigation in a statement shared with the Guardian, but did not specify what information the agent is accused of disclosing.
“A member of the Vice Presidential Protective Division is the subject of an administrative investigation, and potential criminal inquiry, involving allegations of compromising operational and information security,” Anthony Guglielmi, the Secret Service chief of communications, said in the statement.
“While we will not comment on the specifics of this matter, one principle is unequivocal: any conduct that potentially threatens the safety of a protectee will not be tolerated,” he added.
The agent’s case is now being handled by the agency’s internal affairs component, presumably the Department of Justice’s office of professional responsibility. It is not yet known whether the investigation will lead to internal disciplinary action, criminal charges or both.
The investigation comes as the Trump administration continues an aggressive push against what it says are unauthorized leaks to the media. Earlier this month, the New York Times reported that the Trump administration subpoenaed its reporters as part of a leak investigation involving a story about issues with the aircraft that Trump received as a gift from Qatar.
