A US Secret Service officer protecting Vice President Kamala Harris suddenly behaved aggressively and brawled with his teammates at Andrews Military Airport.
“Around 9:00 a.m. on April 22, a secret agent protecting the Vice President had unusual behavior at Andrews military base, causing teammates to intervene,” US Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi on April 25. 4 reported an incident while ensuring security for Vice President Kamala Harris’ business trip to Wisconsin.
The US Secret Service protected the motorcade carrying President Joe Biden and his wife and Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband during their visit to Delaware on February 3. Image: Reuters
Washington Examiner said the incident occurred when an agent suddenly behaved “aggressively” toward other members of the delegation. When the officer in charge and the shift leader tried to calm the agent down, a fight broke out right in the middle of the airport.
All members of the US Secret Service carry guns when on duty, but the agents involved did not use weapons during the altercation. The agent showing unusual behavior was handcuffed and taken out of the area, then suspended for a health check.
The Washington Examiner said it knew the identity and work of the agent involved, but did not publish it out of respect for the privacy of the parties. The US Vice President’s Office did not comment on the incident.
Mr. Guglielmi said the agent with unusual behavior was treated and removed from the security support team for Vice President Harris. The incident occurred at a time when Ms. Harris had not yet left her residence and did not affect her flight schedule. The US Secret Service did not publicly release details of the incident at Andrews Airport, only describing it as a “medical issue”.
US Vice President Kamala Harris spoke in Selma city, Alabama on March 3. Image: AFP
US Secret Service agents in teams escorting weak people are often under high pressure, with shifts lasting many days and having to cut off contact with family and acquaintances.
The US Secret Service views the mental health of its employees as a factor that needs to be strictly monitored, because agents always carry guns and are very close to high-ranking officials and foreign leaders.
The Vice Presidential Protection Team (VPD) is the second most respected job for all members of the US Secret Service, second only to the Presidential Protection Team (PPD).
According to the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution, the Vice President is second in line to succeed in power if there is an emergency and the President cannot run the country. In November 2021, when President Joe Biden needed anesthesia for a colonoscopy, he temporarily transferred power to Vice President Harris for about 85 minutes.
Members of the U.S. Secret Service must have at least three years of field experience and an excellent competency rating before applying to the VPD. The agent must then undergo Guard Training at the James J. Rowley Center in suburban Washington, then pass interviews and intelligence clearances before joining the VPD.
Name (According to CNN, Washington Examiner)
