“The Secret Service has done the right thing in letting those agents go, but they have a lot of work still left to do.”
The Secret Service has fired two of its agents who were reportedly involved in an incident on March 10 where a man was able to breach the fence of the White House. The man, identified as 26-year-old Jonathan Tran, was eventually arrested after roaming the grounds of the White House for 16 minutes. He was able to get close to doors and windows of the White House during his venture. Once arrested, Tran told police that he had an appointment with President Donald Trump, who was not at the White House at the time of the incident.
The news stories read like a script for a bad made-for-TV spy film. The fact that an unidentified individual was able to not only breach the fence of the White House, but roam around freely for 16 minutes, is shocking. One would never expect to read that the White House of all places received an intruder, in broad daylight, who went completely undetected by Secret Service agents.
While it may not seem lengthy, 16 minutes can be an eternity to those with bad intentions. Currently, numerous threats against the White House and particularly to those who are occupying that dwelling for at least the next four years, have escalated in intensity and frequency. They have made it necessary for Secret Service agents to operate under an elevated sense of security. This is especially the case when they are charged with protecting the President of the United States and his family. It’s not uncommon to expect terrorist attacks, random shooters, and other unforeseen incidents.
Recently, the Secret Service has faced a string of incidents that are not flattering. From the agent who proclaimed she would never take a bullet for President Trump to the claim that agents were taking selfies with President Trump’s sleeping grandchild, something has to be done to correct these issues. The professionalism that should be demonstrated by agents of the Secret Service seems to be lacking in their service to the Trump Administration. Hopefully, the recent swift action taken to relieve the incompetent agents sends a reverberating message throughout the agency.
The Secret Service is charged with the most important task in the United States, if not the world. The security of the President and his family remain vital to the success of the United States and our interests abroad. In an age of terrorism, President Trump should not have to worry if he’s safe in his own house. The location where he makes some of the most important decisions for our nation and the most revered house in the country needs to be the most secure location in the world. The Secret Service has done the right thing in letting those agents go, but they have a lot of work still left to do.
