Three U.S. Secret Service officials were placed on administrative leave on Tuesday, August 26, 2026, pending the outcome of an investigation by the agency's professional standards office. The officials, who were operating in non-law-enforcement roles, are being investigated for potential misconduct, according to the agency's public information office. However, the specific reasons for the administrative leave remain unclear as the Office of Professional Responsibility has just begun its review.

The Secret Service has recently been under increased scrutiny. In April, police reported that an armed man breached security at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, which former President Donald Trump was attending. Additionally, the Justice Department subpoenaed New York Times journalists last month after they reported on security concerns involving the new, Qatari-gifted Air Force One. These subpoenas were later withdrawn.

The Times had reported that the Secret Service urged Trump to leave Turkey on the old Air Force One due to security concerns. Earlier this month, Trump confirmed he slipped away from Air Force One while departing Turkey because the Secret Service and military wanted him on a different plane amid fears of an assassination attempt by Iran. This confirmation came after The Washington Post reported that Trump participated in an elaborate ruse where some staff, Secret Service agents, and journalists flew on the old model Air Force One while Trump was secretly transported on an alternate military aircraft.

These incidents have placed the Secret Service in the spotlight as it continues to navigate security challenges surrounding high-profile figures.

Sources