Washington: Three US Secret Service officials have been placed on administrative leave while the agency investigates allegations of potential misconduct, the agency’s public information office said.
The officials were working in non-law-enforcement roles and were placed on leave on Tuesday pending an investigation by the Secret Service Office of Professional Responsibility. The agency has not disclosed the specific conduct under investigation.
Probe comes amid heightened scrutiny
The development comes as the Secret Service faces increased attention over security arrangements surrounding President Donald Trump. The president has been the subject of at least three assassination plots over the past two years, adding pressure on the agency responsible for protecting him and other senior officials.
In April, police reported that an armed man had breached security at the Washington Hilton while Trump was attending the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
The incident renewed questions about security protocols around presidential appearances.
Other incidents draw attention
The agency has faced further scrutiny over recent security-related developments. The US Justice Department last month subpoenaed New York Times journalists following reports concerning security arrangements involving a new Qatari-gifted Air Force One. The subpoenas were later withdrawn.
Trump also acknowledged earlier this month that he had secretly travelled on an alternate military aircraft while leaving Turkey after the Secret Service and military raised concerns about a possible assassination threat from Iran.
Secret Service continues internal reviews
The agency last month confirmed that an agent assigned to Vice-President JD Vance’s security detail was under investigation over allegations linked to a suspected news leak.
The latest administrative leave involving three officials is separate from that investigation. The Secret Service has not provided further details about the allegations or indicated when the current review is expected to conclude.
The investigations come as the agency continues to face demands to maintain stringent security standards while protecting senior US officials amid evolving threats.