Republicans Question Secret Service’s Role Under DHS After Trump Attacks
Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., vice chair of the Homeland Security Committee, suggested it's time to reevaluate where the Secret Service belongs. “The Secret Service’s mission is vastly different from most agencies within DHS. We should explore whether they would function better as a standalone agency,” Guest said.
The Secret Service, established in 1865 to fight counterfeiting, took on the role of protecting U.S. presidents in 1913. It remained part of the Treasury Department until 2003 when it was moved under the newly-formed DHS. However, the agency has come under scrutiny following two assassination attempts against Trump in recent months.
In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, injuring Trump and killing an attendee. Just last weekend, a man armed with an AK-47 was arrested near Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course, reportedly waiting for the former president.
These incidents have led some lawmakers to question whether the Secret Service is receiving the attention it needs under DHS, with some advocating for a change in leadership or agency structure.
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, called for a broader review of DHS itself, saying, “Twenty years after its creation, it’s time to ask if DHS is really working. The department is failing in many areas, not just with the Secret Service.”
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., criticized DHS for being too large, leading to mismanagement of critical responsibilities. “DHS is a catch-all agency, and it’s just not working. The Secret Service isn’t getting the attention it deserves,” Donalds said. He also noted that beyond the Secret Service, issues like border security and immigration are being neglected.
Donalds hinted that a more serious push to restructure the agency could come if Republicans maintain control of the House in the next election. “This might not happen this year, but if we win in November, we’ll see a stronger effort to reorganize DHS and ensure agencies like the Secret Service get the focus they need,” he added.
Former White House physician Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, who worked closely with the Secret Service during his 14 years at the White House, said many agents felt sidelined after the agency was moved under DHS. “They felt like a big fish in a small pond at Treasury, but after they got absorbed into DHS, they felt their importance and effectiveness were downgraded,” Jackson explained.
Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., also expressed openness to breaking up DHS, saying that he “wouldn’t be opposed” to the idea of giving the Secret Service greater autonomy.
As discussions continue, there is a growing push among Republicans to rethink how the Secret Service operates and whether it can better fulfill its role outside the DHS framework.
0 Comments