Secret Service investigating agent for JD Vance over alleged leak - BBC

What the report says

BBC News reports that a US Secret Service agent assigned to Vice-President JD Vance’s protective detail has been suspended while the agency investigates an alleged leak of sensitive information. The Secret Service has not named the agent or described the material at issue, but spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said the matter could involve a criminal inquiry and concerns about operational and information security.

Guglielmi said conduct that may endanger a protected official would not be accepted. The White House did not comment on the investigation, according to the BBC. Vance, as vice-president, and his family receive continuous Secret Service protection.

The BBC noted that the inquiry follows a report last week by the US television network MS NOW, which cited anonymous sources saying some members of Vance’s security team had expressed frustration about family travel arrangements. The reported concerns included trips such as a planned military helicopter flight connected to a golf lesson for Vance’s young son and house-hunting in the Washington, DC, area. CNN reported that the suspension was linked to the MS NOW story, but the BBC said it had not independently confirmed that reporting. Vance’s office told MS NOW that the family is grateful to Secret Service personnel and that agents handle the demands of protecting a vice-president with a young family professionally.

The case comes as Secret Service leaders warn of a heightened threat environment for protected officials, including President Donald Trump. Director Sean Curran said the agency is facing an unusually volatile period, and officials cited thousands of threat investigations since January, driven in part by online threats, lone actors and extremist activity.