By Steve Neavling
The Secret Service is reaching “a breaking point,” with concerns that its overburdened workforce may lead to another serious security failure, NBC News reports.
Following an assassination attempt on former President Trump, current and former agents fear that the increased workload and insufficient staffing have left the agency vulnerable.
“The U.S. Secret Service is killing their people, and worse, they are supposed to have a zero-fail protective mission on zero rest/sleep,” said one former agent. “I love my agency, but they are setting themselves up for another incident.”
Two U.S. officials said the agency is “redlining” as Trump’s latest visit to Butler, Penn., is underway. Agents are working around the clock, and morale is low, which some fear could lead to more mistakes.
“They don’t have the manpower they need,” said one former agent, citing exhaustion and a lack of adequate staffing during high-profile assignments.
The agency has tried to hire more agents, but with new hires needing years of training, the problem persists. Attrition has further exacerbated the issue, with agents leaving due to burnout and overwhelming workloads. One former agent described the situation as “systemic,” warning that the Secret Service is stretched “virtually to the breaking point.”
Security lapses are becoming more frequent. Some agents have reported falling asleep on the job, while others described paperwork mistakes and second-guessing themselves while performing protective duties.
“Tensions are high, and lapses of judgment are becoming more frequent,” said one agent, adding that they feel like they’re “at the end of their ropes” physically and mentally.
The strain is evident not only in the U.S. but internationally as well. Adding to the pressure, the agency is dealing with the unprecedented threat levels surrounding Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Current and former agents also worry about the potential for insider threats as a result of low morale and overwork.
“People are really starting to despise this agency,” said one agent, fearing that resentment could lead to compromised security.
Secret Service leadership acknowledges the crisis and has developed a plan to hire more agents and modernize its technology, but the immediate future remains uncertain.
As one law enforcement official put it, “When you’re dying on the vine, and you add a little more, you’re still dying on the vine.”
