Secret Service Officials Placed on Leave Amid Investigation into Leaked Classified Information
Three Secret Service officials have been removed from their offices and put on leave as part of an investigation into leaked classified information. The officials were escorted out of their office and made "do not admits" as part of a criminal investigation into leaks to the media. It is unclear if the leaks were related to President Trump's secret evacuation from Turkey due to intelligence about a surface-to-air missile threat from Iran.
The Trump administration has been cracking down on journalists to identify those leaking classified information. The Department of Justice subpoenaed New York Times journalists who reported on security issues with Trump's Qatari jet and targeted a Times freelancer to reveal his sources for a story on a failed top-secret mission in North Korea. Federal agents also seized digital devices from Max Blumenthal upon his return from Iran.
The suspensions follow a Secret Service agent being placed on leave for allegedly disclosing demanding requests by Vice President JD Vance. One of the officials placed on leave was the agency's communications chief, Anthony Guglielmi, along with two others from the communications office. All three officials lost their security clearances as well.
The FBI and CIA are involved in the investigations, with Guglielmi confirmed as one of the suspended officials. The three officials were placed on leave for an investigation into misconduct. The U.S. Secret Service spokesperson stated that three non-law enforcement personnel have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into potential misconduct. The Office of Professional Responsibility is handling the investigation, and further comments are not available at this time.
In conclusion, three Secret Service officials have been placed on leave as part of an investigation into leaked classified information. The Trump administration's crackdown on journalists to identify leakers has led to increased scrutiny within the agency. The involvement of the FBI and CIA in the investigations highlights the seriousness of the situation, with the officials facing potential consequences for their actions.