Secret Service officials will brief Congress on June 21 about issues in training and recruiting agents. This meeting is in response to a letter from House Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer. He asked for explanations after an agent on Vice President Kamala Harris’ detail attacked her supervisor.
The Secret Service confirmed they will meet the House Oversight Committee’s request following Comer’s letter dated May 30, 2024. Comer wrote to the Secret Service Director, Kimberly Cheatle, detailing reports of an agent attacking her superior and other agents on April 22 at Joint Base Andrews. The agent was arrested and removed from Harris’ detail, with the Secret Service calling it a “medical matter.”
Reports show the incident happened around 9 a.m. at Joint Base Andrews. Inside the agency, a petition from personnel pointed out issues like poor training and unfair disciplinary actions, pushing for a congressional investigation.
Comer’s letter also questioned the agent’s hiring process, suggesting past incidents might have been ignored due to relaxed standards amid staffing shortages and diversity efforts. He asked for a briefing by June 13, but the meeting was scheduled for a few days later.
The Secret Service, which protects high-ranking officials, has been under review since this incident. The altercation did not affect Vice President Harris’ travel, as she was at home during the incident. Initial reports by the Washington Examiner and Real Clear Politics have highlighted concerns about the agency’s practices and standards.
