A Secret Service agent has been placed on administrative leave after he allegedly spilled some ‘sensitive’ information about Vice President JD Vance whilst he was on a date with someone undercover.
According to a video clip, which was posted on January 13 by the O’Keefe Media Group, a man who was part of Vance’s detail met up with a journalist, thinking she was an ordinary potential partner.
In the video, he is reportedly seen sitting in a crowded restaurant, as the woman asks him some questions off-screen.
Shockingly, the member of the United States Secret Service and employee of the Department of Homeland Security apparently revealed sensitive information, such as Secret Service shift schedules and the way agents walk when Vance is out in public.
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He then goes on to hand his date an identification ‘badge’ to verify his job role.
The woman can be heard saying, ‘can I see your badge again, with your photo’, before telling him, ‘you’re so cute.’
In screenshots allegedly sent from the agent to the journalist, Vance’s travel arrangements, images of the presidential convoy, and more were revealed.
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It also reportedly included metadata which could potentially show Vance’s exact location.
In the clip, the man can be heard talking about his political stance, namely, his thoughts on ICE agents.
“I don’t understand why they’re covering their face... I don’t agree with that at all," he said in regard to the agents wearing balaclavas. “They’re deploying tactics that shouldn’t be deployed.”
The man went on to say that he voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, and that he doesn’t agree with Donald Trump’s administration’s immigration policies.
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Since the clip was released, the US Secret Service has allegedly placed the man on administrative leave, per a statement to PEOPLE.
US Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn told the outlet: "The U.S. Secret Service has no tolerance for any behavior that could potentially compromise the safety, privacy or trust of our protectees.
"This incident is under investigation and the employee involved has been placed on administrative leave with his clearance suspended and access to agency facilities and systems revoked."
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"The U.S. Secret Service has also issued an order for all personnel to retake the agency’s required anti-espionage training in order to ensure employees are aware of the threats posed by individuals aiming to exploit agency employees for information about our protective operations," Quinn added.
He shared that the Secret Service ‘has a 160-year-old tradition of discretion that sets this agency apart, and we have no tolerance for employees who fail to meet this standard'.
"The U.S. Secret Service deeply apologizes to the Vance family for this violation of their trust and privacy. The faith our protectees place in this agency is not something the U.S. Secret Service takes lightly, and we are committed to taking the necessary actions to ensure that a similar breach of standards does not occur again,” he concluded.
UNILAD has reached out to the White House for comment.
Topics: JD Vance, Donald Trump, Politics, US News
Britt Jones