Allegations of a sexual assault by a Secret Service agent against a staff member of Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign team have emerged as the latest issue for the agency.
The incident reportedly took place last week in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where Harris’ staff were dining while preparing for an event that was ultimately canceled.
This revelation coincided with the release of a Senate report highlighting failures within the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) that allowed would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks to shoot at Donald Trump. The agency has faced significant criticism following two assassination attempts on Trump within a two-month period.
Sources within the Secret Service shared details with Real Clear Politics, stating that witnesses observed the inappropriate conduct.
The accused agent was summoned to headquarters in Washington, D.C., to meet with investigators from the Inspections Division.
The incident involved a group of staff members returning to a hotel room, where the agent allegedly groped a female staffer while intoxicated; co-workers eventually removed him from the room. He was later found passed out in the hallway.
In light of the allegations, the Secret Service’s Office of Professional Responsibility has launched an investigation, and the agent has been placed on administrative leave.
Harris’ campaign team opted to travel to Atlanta instead of remaining in Wisconsin for their planned activities.
A Senate report indicated that Secret Service shortcomings contributed to the initial assassination attempt against Trump, revealing that officials were aware of Crooks’ suspicious behavior for 27 minutes before the attack. The report also uncovered significant technical issues with drones that malfunctioned during an event in Pennsylvania, hindering the agency’s response. These failures allowed Crooks to fire shots at Trump from a nearby building, resulting in injuries and a fatality among attendees before he was neutralized by a counter-sniper.
Congress is currently contemplating increasing funding for the Secret Service to enhance staffing and security measures.
However, the Senate report criticized the agency for not adequately responding to requests for drone capabilities and for failing to communicate effectively about Crooks’ presence on the roof before the shooting.
Investigations have consistently revealed widespread breakdowns within the Secret Service regarding planning, communication, and resource allocation.
Senators have emphasized the need for clearer command structures and better coordination among security agencies to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the investigations unfold, both parties in Congress are divided over whether additional resources should be allocated to the Secret Service, with some advocating for an internal overhaul before further funding is considered.
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