How Many Secret Service When In Public Trump

Update: On November 13, the Washington Post reported that more 130 Secret Service agents were ordered to isolate or quarantine considering they tested positive for Covid-xix or came into close contact with infected co-workers. The spread is believed to be linked to entrada rallies that President Trump held in the ramp-upwards to the Nov 3 ballot. In recent weeks, many members of the President's inner circle —including White House Senior Advisor Stephen Miller, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany—have tested positive for Covid-19.

On Dominicus Oct 4, President Trump briefly left Walter Reed National War machine Medical Heart, where he was existence treated for Covid-19, and got into a black SUV to drive past a crowd of supporters who had gathered outside the hospital. The windows of the vehicle were kept closed, but onlookers and camera crews were able to encounter Trump in the back seat, wearing a mask and waving. They were besides able to meet one of two Secret Service agents seated in the front of the auto a few feet from the President, wearing a N-95 mask and protective centre gear and staring straight ahead.

It was supposed to exist a show of strength and gratitude to political supporters, but the photo op was quickly met with harsh criticism as members of the medical customs expressed alarm at the risk of infection the ride posed for the two members of the President'due south protection detail. Dr. James Phillips, an attending doc at Walter Reed who is serves as primary of disaster medicine at George Washington University, called the issue, "political theater."

The White House disputed claims that the President's decision contradicted medical guidance. "Appropriate precautions were taken in the execution of this movement to protect the President and all those supporting it, including PPE," Judd Deere, a White House spokesman, told the New York Times via e-mail on Sunday nighttime. "The movement was cleared by the medical squad equally rubber to practice."

The public is accustomed to seeing members of the Secret Service scanning crowds, running aslope motorcades, and even tackling gunmen. Personal gamble is part of their job. But what happens if the danger comes from the President? Can an agent contradict a President's wishes or alter their own protective measures? And are there any circumstances in which an agent could refuse an social club?

Town & State asked Chris Falkenberg, a former special agent in the Us Secret Service and founder of Insite Gamble Management, virtually the dangers facing agents and the spoken and unspoken rules of serving in the Secret Service.

Pres. George H. W. Bush jogging at Ft. McNair followed by secret service human being, 1989

Diana Walker

So starting time of all, can the President reject protection?

The President is obligated by constabulary to have Secret Service protection. Vice President Pence, former President Bill Clinton, former First Lady Laura Bush-league, they are all Secret Service protectees, but they can say, "I don't want you lot anymore," and the Secret Service says, "Thank y'all very much, adieu." The President may non do that. Then the President is sort of stuck with the Clandestine Service.

Tin can the President ask for certain measures to be modified?

At that place are plenty of agents who have counseled a President not to do something he wanted to exercise. That happens all the time. And those disputes are resolved 1 way or the other, and they're not always resolved in the favor of the Secret Service.

For example, if at that place is an event plan where the President is going to walk on an elevated phase from a podium to a seating surface area, and the Secret Service says, "This is really bad. We accept no high ground coverage, there's a lot of exposure to modest artillery fire, we cannot secure these areas, and it is not safe," the [White Firm] staff has definitely said, "All right, we'll movement it around, we'll find something else."

I imagine at that place take been times in the almost 120 years that the Undercover Service has been doing this job that the staff has said, "Discover a way to do it. The President is going to do this, you lot're not going to tell them not to do it, and so make it work."

secret service man climbing onto president kennedy's car

Hugger-mugger Service Agent Clint Colina jumps onto the back of the motorcade to protect Jacqueline Kennedy, subsequently President Kennedy was shot on November 22, 1963. Hill rode on the back of the limousine all the way to Parkland Memorial Hospital.

Bettmann Getty Images

white house policeman receiving aid after shooting

Can you imagine a state of affairs in which an agent would say, "This puts my life at risk," and refuse to practice something?

Agents put their lives at run a risk every solar day. The difference here is that if nosotros knew, for example, that we were going into a crowded surface area and there were people with guns, then there's no way the President would go, right? They would cancel that cease.

In this example, you're asking them to get into a state of affairs that they know is super dangerous, and there are a very small number of things yous can practise to reduce the danger. Looking at the N-95 mask and eye protection that the agent in the right front seat had on, you can see they did what they could.

I'm non enlightened of an opt-out where an agent can say, "Hey, this is actually dangerous. I don't want to practise this." No, that is not the way it rolls. It is contrary to the modus operandi of the Hole-and-corner Service. It is inconsistent with what is expected of them in their capacity every bit agents.

As a former agent, what is your impression of this bulldoze-by?

The Secret Service has had people who tested positive for Covid then possibly there were people on the shift who had tested positive previously and have some serological antibodies. So maybe that was able to happen. I don't know how else you would address this. Information technology's very difficult.

Cloak-and-dagger Service agents and bystanders rush to help during the March 1981 assassination effort on Ronald Reagan. Secret Service Agent Timothy McCarthy was hit and Press Secretary James Brady (in blue suit with two men over him) was permanently disabled from injuries sustained in the attack.

Historical Getty Images