An armed Secret Service agent who was part of Vice President Kamala Harris’ detail apparently had a breakdown Monday morning at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
According to the Washington Examiner, the unidentified agent became involved in a physical altercation with his colleagues after behaving erratically. The fight reportedly did not involve firearms.
The Secret Service agent allegedly acted aggressively toward others in the detail. He was eventually handcuffed in what the agency later described as a medical incident.
In a statement, Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi reported that “at approximately 9 a.m. April 22, a U.S. Secret Service special agent supporting the Vice President’s departure from Joint Base Andrews began displaying behavior their colleagues found distressing.”
Guglielmi said the agent was removed and medical personnel were called to the scene.
Harris was not present during the altercation and was scheduled to arrive at the base later. Her departure from Andrews was not affected, he explained.
ALERT: One of Kamala Harris' Secret Service agents has gone rogue. pic.twitter.com/nZKQ6dpFrs
— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) April 25, 2024
The communications chief added that the incident was a “medical matter,” and thus there would not be further explanation. He stated that “the U.S. Secret Service takes the safety and health of our employees very seriously.”
According to RealClearPolitics, the agent began acting erratically before attacking the special agent in charge. He reportedly managed to get on top of his superior and began punching him.
The outlet also reported that concerns about the agent who experienced the apparent breakdown were previously expressed by agency staff.
Details of the agent’s current status were not released.
The Secret Service is charged with protecting the president, the vice-president and their immediate families. It is also called on to provide services to certain presidential candidates, though Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was denied such protection by the agency.
It further guards those in direct line in order of succession to the president and vice president as well as their immediate families.
The Secret Service is also tasked with combating counterfeiting and was originally a branch of the Treasury Department.
