A United States Secret Service agent tasked with protecting Vice President JD Vance has been placed on administrative leave following a major security breach, after he was allegedly filmed sharing confidential operational details with an undercover journalist he believed was a romantic interest.
The Undercover Sting Operation
The incident came to light on Wednesday 14 January 2026, when conservative activist James O’Keefe’s media group released covert footage. The video, reportedly filmed in a busy restaurant, shows the agent engaged in conversation with a woman off-camera. The woman, who is heard asking to see his badge and calling him "so cute", proceeds to ask numerous detailed questions about protective operations.
The agent appears to provide extensive replies, discussing how agents are positioned around Vice President Vance during official engagements. He also divulged specifics about Vance's future travel itineraries and even disclosed the location of the presidential convoy, according to the O’Keefe Media Group's report.
Agent's Background and Political Comments
In a social media post sharing the clip, James O’Keefe described the agent as a "holdover from the Biden administration" who had voted for the former president. During the conversation, the agent also voiced strong personal criticism of the Trump administration's immigration policies, specifically referencing ICE crackdowns.
"I don’t understand why they’re covering their face … I don’t agree with that at all," the agent is heard saying. He added, "They’re deploying tactics that shouldn’t be deployed."
Secret Service Response and Investigation
The Secret Service reacted swiftly to the potential compromise. The agency suspended the agent's security clearance and placed him on administrative leave, revoking his access to all facilities and systems. Officials declined to publicly name the employee, citing privacy regulations.
In a firm statement, Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn said, "The U.S. Secret Service has no tolerance for any behavior that could potentially compromise the safety, privacy or trust of our protectees." He confirmed the incident is under active investigation.
In a significant move to prevent future lapses, Quinn announced that all Secret Service personnel have been ordered to retake mandatory anti-espionage training. This is to ensure employees remain vigilant against threats from individuals seeking to exploit them for protected information.
Quinn emphasised the agency's duty to uphold its "160-year-old tradition of discretion," stating there is "no tolerance for employees who fail to meet this standard." He concluded by issuing a direct apology, saying, "The U.S. Secret Service deeply apologizes to the Vance family for this violation of their trust and privacy."
