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The Politicization of the Secret Service and the Threats to Presidential Security
Edited by: Fern Sidman
On Saturday afternoon in Butler, Pennsylvania, as bullets flew inches away from former President Trump, Secret Service agents shielded him with their bodies, averting a tragic outcome. This heroic act highlights the vital role the Secret Service plays in safeguarding former presidents. However, this protection was nearly stripped from Trump just months before the incident.
In April, House Committee on Homeland Security ranking member Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and a group of seven other Democrats introduced the DISGRACED Former Protectees Act. According to a report that appeared on Saturday in The Washington Free Beacon, this proposed legislation aimed to terminate Secret Service protection for former presidents convicted and sentenced for a felony. The move was in anticipation of Trump’s potential conviction in his Manhattan hush money case, with his sentencing originally scheduled for July 11—just days before the attempted assassination.
Thompson’s initiative to remove Trump’s protection was part of a broader strategy by some Democrats to hold Trump accountable, driven by an unfounded belief that he poses an existential threat to American democracy. The Washington Free Beacon reported that this perspective has been echoed in increasingly apocalyptic rhetoric from Democratic leaders, including President Joe Biden.
President Joe Biden has been vocal in his warnings about the dangers he believes Trump poses. The WFB also reported that during a campaign rally on June 28, Biden left no doubt about his stance: “Donald Trump is a genuine threat to this nation. He is a threat to our freedom. He is a threat to our democracy. He’s literally a threat for everything America stands for.”
Biden intensified his rhetoric on a July 8 call with Democratic donors, stating, “It’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.” Also noted in the WFB report was that his campaign has further fueled this narrative through a series of television ads depicting Trump’s potential re-election as a catastrophic event for America. “America itself is at stake,” Biden declared in a July 5 campaign ad.
The Integrity of the US Secret Service
The assassination attempt on the life of former President Donald Trump has also brought to light significant concerns about the integrity and effectiveness of the United States Secret Service. Allegations of politicization, inadequate training, and conflicts of interest have emerged, suggesting a troubling erosion of the agency’s core mission.
In an article titled, “Secret Service Covered for Biden, Exposed Trump” that appeared on the Front Page Mag website on Sunday, political commentator and author Daniel Greenfield observed that when President Biden appointed Kim Cheatle, who had been part of his security detail during his vice presidency, as the head of the Secret Service, the agency’s priorities appeared to shift. Under Cheatle’s leadership, the Secret Service committed to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including a pledge to raise the number of female agents to 30%, Greenfield wrote. While diversity in the workforce is valuable, critics argue that this focus may have come at the expense of operational readiness and security priorities, particularly in the context of protecting high-risk individuals such as Donald Trump.
The Secret Service has also been embroiled in controversies involving the Biden family. Reports have surfaced about the agency covering up multiple attacks by Biden’s dog on its personnel, including allegations of deleted video footage of such incidents, as was indicated in Greenfield’s article. This behavior has raised questions about the agency’s objectivity and willingness to hold those in power accountable.
Greenfield also referenced former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino who has been vocal about these issues. Bongino stated “I want to repeat, and can absolutely confirm, the USSS Director Kim Cheatle has repeatedly turned down requests for a larger security footprint around President Trump. Despite knowing the threat level is catastrophic.” Bongino’s comments call attention to a growing concern that the Secret Service may be compromising its primary mission of protecting former presidents due to political considerations, as was noted by Greenfield.
The assassination attempt also highlighted several security lapses. Multiple witnesses reported seeing the shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, getting into position and climbing on top of a building before the shooting began, Greenfield wrote. While a Secret Service sniper responded quickly once the firing started, the delay in identifying and neutralizing the threat resulted in the death of one person and nearly cost Trump his life.
These events have led to fundamental questions about the adequacy of the Secret Service’s current leadership and its ability to protect its charges effectively. Greenfield also suggested that the potential conflict of interest arising from Biden appointing someone who had previously worked closely with him to head the Secret Service, particularly when that agency is also tasked with protecting his political opponent, is a significant concern.
The Secret Service’s problems are not new. The agency has been criticized for years for issues related to training, discipline, and potential insider threats. Greenfield also said that a petition circulated within the Secret Service earlier this year highlighted a crisis within the organization, pointing to inadequate training, a double standard in disciplinary actions, and vulnerabilities to insider threats.
These internal issues have arguably compromised the Secret Service’s ability to perform its duties effectively, culminating in the recent assassination attempt on Trump. The agency’s politicization and the erosion of its operational integrity have raised alarms about its current state and future.
The recent events underscore the urgent need for reform within the Secret Service. Ensuring that the agency can operate free from political influence and maintain its focus on its core mission of protecting national leaders is crucial. This includes addressing internal issues such as inadequate training, disciplinary disparities, and potential insider threats.
Moreover, there needs to be greater transparency and accountability in the agency’s operations. The allegations of cover-ups and politically motivated decisions must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible held accountable. Restoring the public’s trust in the Secret Service requires a commitment to integrity, professionalism, and non-partisanship.
