By Steve Neavling
The US Secret Service is set to lose another high-ranking official this week, as Michael Plati, the assistant director responsible for protective operations, retires.
Plati’s departure marks the second senior exit from the agency following the near assassination of former President Donald Trump in July.
Plati, who has served the Secret Service for 27 years, is retiring on his anniversary with the agency, CNN reports. A source close to the situation revealed that Plati had been contemplating retirement for over a year, discussing the decision extensively with his family.
A spokesperson for the Secret Service confirmed that Plati’s retirement was a “personal decision,” dismissing rumors that senior leadership pressured him to step down.
“Assistant Director Plati was not asked to resign or retire by anyone,” the spokesperson said in a statement to CNN. “This was a personal decision that he has made, and we thank him for his 27 years of dedicated service to the federal government.”
Plati’s exit comes at a challenging time for the agency, which is under intense scrutiny in the wake of the July incident and as the 2024 election campaign intensifies.
The agency’s troubles deepened in July when Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned amidst criticism over the security lapses that nearly cost Trump his life during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service continues to face pressure from lawmakers to hold those responsible for the security failures accountable.
Acting Director Ronald Rowe has stated he will await the results of internal investigations into the July 13 rally before making further personnel decisions.
Several Secret Service personnel from the Pittsburgh Field Office, as well as a member of Trump’s security detail involved in the rally’s advance planning, have been reassigned to administrative duties and are currently working from home.
