Commentary
President-elect Trump’s upcoming hiring decision is shaping up to be one of the most personal choices he will make, with contenders left in suspense about their fate.
Surviving two assassination attempts in a short span of time has put Trump in a unique position, where he owes his life to the Secret Service agents and officers who intervened to protect him. Despite this, he remains critical of the security lapses that led to the near misses.
Threats against Trump, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, and other incoming administration leaders continue to persist. Reports of multiple assassination teams targeting Trump have surfaced, with recent arrests in connection to an alleged Iranian plot to kill him adding to the tension.
Following the second assassination attempt, Trump commended the agent who swiftly acted to neutralize the threat. He contrasted this with the first attempt, emphasizing the importance of quick and accurate responses in such situations.
While Trump acknowledged the successful outcome at his golf club in West Palm Beach, he also highlighted the need for improved security measures based on past incidents. The challenges faced by the Secret Service have prompted calls for significant reforms within the agency.
As Trump prepares to appoint a new leader for the Secret Service, the organization faces scrutiny over its hiring practices, training standards, and overall effectiveness. The need for experienced leadership to navigate these issues is paramount.
With confidence in the Secret Service at a low point, Trump’s selection for a new director is seen as a crucial turning point for the agency. The incoming president’s choice will set the tone for future reforms and improvements.
Amidst debates within the organization on the best path forward, names like Sean Curran and Dan Bongino have emerged as potential candidates to lead the Secret Service. The decision on who will spearhead the agency’s transformation remains a topic of intense discussion among agents and officers.
Curran was a member of Trump’s security team that evening, while Bongino was part of Trump’s group of Cabinet picks, politicians, and celebrities, which included Elon Musk, Tulsi Gabbard, RFK Jr., Dana White, Joe Rogan, Speaker Mike Johnson, Kid Rock, and Jelly Roll.
According to a Secret Service source, Bongino informed other special agents guarding Trump during the event that “Help is on the way.”
On his Monday podcast, however, Bongino was more evasive about Trump’s and his own intentions.
He stated to his listeners, “So, I know many of you are curious about the behind-the-scenes details… I am here to reiterate that none of these decisions are mine, okay—about anything.”
“You know what I’m referring to. There are many factors to consider if that decision were to be made, and you will be the first to know because I care about you, and you are important. Just stay with me, okay?”
Curran was captured that night in an elevator photo with Trump and Musk at the Madison Square Garden fight. While Curran typically works behind the scenes, his presence is captured in the iconic photo of Trump following the first assassination attempt. Curran can be seen to Trump’s left as the then-GOP nominee raises his fist in the air, with blood running down his cheek and an American flag waving in the background.
The competition between Curran and Bongino for the top position is fierce, with each having their own supporters. Trump has a close relationship with Curran, who served as the assistant special agent in charge of Trump’s security detail during his presidency and then took over as the head of the detail in 2021. Curran’s advocates credit him for advocating for increased security resources for Trump, despite pushback from Secret Service leadership.
Curran was successful in obtaining more security resources for Mar-a-Lago, but faced criticism for allowing an inexperienced agent to handle security plans for an event without proper oversight. Some, including Erik Prince, have faulted the Secret Service leadership for not taking Trump’s security seriously.
If Trump appoints Curran as the head of the Secret Service, he will be going against the recommendations of bipartisan commissions that suggested choosing an outsider for the role.
Bongino, who has been critical of the Secret Service for years, has a strong following among active and retired agents who believe he would bring much-needed reforms to the agency. However, some are concerned that he may not be familiar enough with the current landscape of the Secret Service.
Given the ongoing threats faced by Trump, the Secret Service director will play a crucial role in the administration and will likely be in constant communication with the intelligence community to assess threat levels. If Tulsi Gabbard is confirmed as the director of national intelligence, she would likely be part of a group of elite national security Cabinet members alongside John Ratcliffe, who is nominated to become the CIA director. The FBI director job may go to Kash Patel or former Rep. Mike Rogers. Some are hoping for a leader in the Secret Service who can differentiate between good and bad actors within the agency.
Among the top contenders for the Secret Service leadership role is Tom Armas, a U.S. Marine general with experience as a Secret Service agent. He has been praised for his bravery during 9/11. If selected, Armas would follow in the footsteps of Randolph “Tex” Alles, who led the agency from 2017 to 2019.
Michael D’Ambrosio, a respected senior career agent and former U.S. Marine platoon commander, is also being considered for a leadership position. Other potential candidates include Jim Lewis and Billy Davis, both former Secret Service agents.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s opinions and may not necessarily reflect those of The Epoch Times.
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