An agent working with the U.S. Secret Service who was assigned to Vice President Kamala Harris’ security detail has been arrested after engaging in “distressing” behavior at Andrews Air Force Base earlier this week, according to authorities.
A group of agents were gathered at the Maryland base on Monday when one of the individuals, who was not identified in initial reports, allegedly “became aggressive” and began physically attacking fellow agents. Harris was at her residence nearby and her planned departure from the base later the same day went forward on schedule.
Although the subject was reportedly armed, investigators say weapons were not involved in the incident. The agent was placed in handcuffs and taken into custody, according to Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi.
“At approximately 9 a.m. April 22, a U.S. Secret Service agent supporting the Vice President’s departure from Joint Base Andrews began displaying behavior their colleagues found distressing,” Guglielmi explained in a statement. “The agent was removed from their assignment while medical personnel were summoned.”
It was unclear from available reports to what extent any of the agents were injured or what charges the suspect in the case might face.
“The U.S. Secret Service takes the safety and health of our employees very seriously,” Guglielmi added. “As this was a medical matter, we will not disclose any further details.”
This is just the latest report involving the Secret Service to surface amid the ongoing presidential election cycle. Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has repeatedly sought protection from the agency in response to threats to his safety, but the Biden administration has turned down his requests each time.
Homeland Security gave no explanation for rejecting our application. Law says all “major candidates” get protection. I’m polling 22% (and 40% among young voters — beating both Biden and Trump). My opinion may be biased, but that seems pretty “major” to me.
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) December 23, 2023
More recently, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) introduced a bill that would, in a thinly veiled attack on presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, deny Secret Service protection to any former protectee convicted of a felony and sentenced to prison.
“Unfortunately, current law doesn’t anticipate how Secret Service protection would impact the felony prison sentence of a protectee — even a former President,” a news release announcing the bill asserted. “It is regrettable that it has come to this, but this previously unthought-of scenario could become our reality. Therefore, it is necessary for us to be prepared and update the law so the American people can be assured that protective status does not translate into special treatment — and that those who are sentenced to prison will indeed serve the time required of them.”
Trump is currently facing dozens of criminal charges in multiple jurisdictions as part of what he and many of his supporters believe are politically motivated.
