A U.S. Secret Service special agent was removed from duty after exhibiting “distressing” behavior that reportedly led to a physical altercation with other protection detail agents while supporting Vice President Kamala Harris’ departure from Joint Base Andrews on Monday.
The agent, whose identity was withheld, suffered a “medical incident” and was immediately “removed from their assignment,” Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the Secret Service, said in a statement to The Epoch Times.
At around 9 a.m., approximately one hour before the vice president arrived on the scene, the agent “supporting the Vice President’s departure from Joint Base Andrews began displaying behavior their colleagues found distressing,” according to Mr. Guglielmi.
Mr. Guglielmi said that medical personnel were called to the scene. He noted that the scuffle did not delay Ms. Harris’ departure.
The Secret Service spokesperson stated that due to it being a “medical matter,” no further information would be disclosed.
According to the Washington Examiner, the “armed” agent allegedly exhibited aggressive behavior toward fellow agents. When the special agent in charge and the detail shift supervisor tried to defuse the situation, a physical altercation broke out.
The agent was subsequently handcuffed and removed from duty for a medical evaluation. The agent’s gun reportedly remained in its holster until “other agents physically restrained the agent and took the gun from the agent’s possession,” according to RealClearPolitics.
RealClearPolitics reported that questions have been raised by “sources within the Secret Service community” regarding the hiring process for the agent, who has allegedly exhibited “other strange behavior before this incident.”
The Epoch Times contacted the vice president’s office for comment.
The vice president was at the Naval Observatory at the time of the incident, and her departure from Joint Base Andrews was not impacted, according to Mr. Guglielmi.
Further details regarding the nature of the agent’s behavior were not disclosed, as it was classified as a medical matter. The spokesperson for the Secret Service assured that appropriate measures were taken and reiterated its dedication to the well-being of its personnel.
“The U.S. Secret Service takes the safety and health of our employees very seriously. As this was a medical matter, we will not disclose any further details,” Mr. Guglielmi said.
The Secret Service is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of top officials such as the president, vice president, and their families, as well as former presidents, foreign dignitaries, major candidates nearing elections, and individuals under executive orders or during significant security events. They also safeguard the U.S. financial infrastructure and payment systems.
Agents typically receive comprehensive training that emphasizes skill development and mission success, according to its website. New agents undergo rigorous training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia, followed by an 18-week special agent training course near Washington.
The Secret Service, in a brochure, states that it is “fully committed to the tenets of equal employment opportunity (EEO) and inclusive diversity.”
Agents assigned to protective details undergo training simulations to prepare for real-world emergencies. Among the assignments an agent can get, the Vice Presidential Protective Division (VPD) is considered one of the most prestigious within the Secret Service, second only to the Presidential Protective Division.
Prospective agents, who receive a conditional offer of employment, complete security forms, such as Standard Form 86, and undergo a personal security background investigation by the Secret Service, according to its website. This includes preliminary checks, national record and fingerprint scans, and a security review. This process involves digging into an individual’s past and contacting references, employers, and law enforcement agencies.
