Secret Service officials, including Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi, were placed on administrative leave Tuesday pending an internal investigation into potential misconduct. The agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility launched the review as the organization faces heightened scrutiny over recent security incidents and leaks.
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed Tuesday that three non-law-enforcement personnel had been suspended and subjected to an internal review by the Office of Professional Responsibility. The agency declined to specify the exact allegations prompting the inquiry or name the affected individuals in its initial public statement. CNN first reported the inquiry.
However, U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News that the impacted staffers include Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi and two other members of the agency’s communications office. As standard procedure during internal investigations, all three lost their security clearances and their access to government-issued devices, according to officials.
Anthony Guglielmi and the Communications Office Under Scrutiny
Gregg Bernstein, a spokesperson and attorney representing Guglielmi, issued a statement defending his client’s professional record following the suspension, though he did not expressly say Guglielmi was on leave.
“He is a professional of deep integrity whose decades-long public record advocating for local, state and federal agencies speaks for itself.”
Gregg Bernstein, spokesperson for Anthony Guglielmi
“He holds profound respect for the mission and work of the United States Secret Service and is cooperating fully with everything being asked of him.”
Gregg Bernstein, spokesperson for Anthony Guglielmi
The agency’s public information office emphasized that the unfolding inquiry involves administrative personnel rather than operational agents. In its statement, the Secret Service did not disclose what prompted the investigation or identify the officials, but stated it will continue to pursue the level of excellence that is worthy
of the organization’s mission.
“The U.S. Secret Service is committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in fulfilling our zero-fail mission of protecting the President and other high-level government officials. Our critical work demands that our workforce maintain an unwavering commitment to duty, honesty, and courage in all aspects of their jobs.”
Secret Service spokesperson
Recent Security Controversies and Prior Leak Investigations
The administrative leave decisions follow a series of high-profile security challenges and internal probes for the agency.
Guglielmi explained at the time that the security detail member was being evaluated under an internal probe and a possible criminal investigation into compromised operational and information security.
“While we will not comment on the specifics of this matter, one principle is unequivocal: any conduct that potentially threatens the safety of a protectee will not be tolerated.”
Anthony Guglielmi
Beyond internal conduct inquiries, the agency has navigated intense oversight under President Donald Trump’s administration in the wake of at least three separate assassination attempts against him in the past two years. Additional security breaches occurred in April, when police said an armed man breached security at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, which Trump was attending.
The Secret Service has also found itself in the spotlight after other recent incidents. The Justice Department last month subpoenaed New York Times journalists after they reported on security concerns involving the new, Qatari-gifted Air Force One. The subpoenas, which were later withdrawn, came after The Times reported that Trump was urged to leave Turkey on the old Air Force One at the urging of the Secret Service. Trump also earlier this month acknowledged that he had actually slipped away in other circumstances.
Office of Professional Responsibility Review Timeline
The Office of Professional Responsibility was just beginning its review on Tuesday and did not offer details about what the three officials were being investigated for. The specific grounds for the action remain unclear as the Office of Professional Responsibility carries out its formal review.
Related reading