A member of Vice President JD Vance's protective detail has been removed from duty while facing investigation into accusations that he leaked confidential security information, the Secret Service confirmed Thursday.
The agent is suspected of disclosing details that appeared in a recent report about internal Secret Service complaints regarding Vance's travel arrangements, according to people briefed on the matter. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the removal was prompted by allegations of compromising operational and information security, with both administrative and potential criminal inquiries underway.
"Any conduct that potentially threatens the safety of a protectee will not be tolerated," Guglielmi said in a statement. Vance's office declined to comment on the agent's status or the allegations.
The investigation centers on a reported incident involving a planned Marine Two helicopter flight from the vice president's official residence to Joint Base Andrews, where Vance had arranged for Secret Service agents to accompany him and his son to a golf lesson. The trip was scrapped at the last minute due to severe weather. Multiple agents expressed frustration internally over what they viewed as an inappropriate use of government resources, sources said.
The protective detail has also raised concerns about other assignments and travel plans involving Vance that some agents deemed inconsistent with standard protocol, according to those familiar with the internal discussions. An administration official defended Vance's scheduling patterns, noting that the vice president's calendar frequently shifts due to urgent meetings and events that supersede earlier arrangements, creating unpredictable demands on his security team.
The official also pointed out that Vance differs from recent vice presidents in having young children at home, and he prioritizes spending time with them when possible. The Marine Two route to Joint Base Andrews represents the typical helicopter path for vice presidential travel and requires fewer local law enforcement and resource commitments than a motorcade alternative, the official added.
The leak investigation reflects the Trump administration's aggressive stance toward unauthorized disclosures to the press. Last month, the Justice Department issued subpoenas to New York Times reporters who covered security threats related to the upcoming Air Force One replacement. A federal judge is scheduled to hear arguments Thursday on the Times' challenge to those subpoenas. The department said its focus is on individuals leaking classified material, not the journalists themselves. In a separate case, the administration initially sought to compel four journalists to testify before a federal grand jury but retreated after The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post objected.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "The leak itself is damaging, but the real story is how this administration treats press freedom and the uncomfortable questions about whether Secret Service concerns should stay hidden from public scrutiny."
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