The US Secret Service has suspended a member of Vice-President JD Vance’s protective detail and opened an administrative investigation that could lead to criminal charges, after the agent was suspected of leaking operational details to the media. The leak is believed to have informed a recent MS Now article that described agents’ discontent with last-minute personal travel requests and the use of a Marine helicopter for a family golf lesson, a trip later cancelled. The agent has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the internal affairs probe.

The Secret Service, through spokesman Anthony Guglielmi, confirmed the investigation and stated that any conduct threatening a protectee’s safety would not be tolerated. The White House declined to comment, while Vance’s office referred questions to the Secret Service. According to US officials cited in multiple reports, the disclosure of operational security details angered senior figures at the Secret Service, the FBI, and the White House. The administration, which has made the pursuit of unauthorised leaks a priority, views the incident as a serious breach. The Justice Department has separately issued subpoenas to New York Times journalists over reporting on security features of a presidential aircraft gifted by Qatar, signalling a broader effort to deter disclosures.

The suspended agent is the second from Vance’s detail to face disciplinary action this year. In January 2026, another agent was stripped of his security clearance and access after an undercover video showed him discussing classified protective measures. The current case has exposed tensions between the vice-president’s family life—he has four young children and seeks to spend time with them—and the operational constraints of his security detail. Administration officials note that Vance’s schedule often shifts due to official meetings, which can strain protective planning, while some agents have privately argued that certain personal trips represent an inappropriate use of government resources.

The investigation unfolds against a backdrop of what Secret Service Director Sean Curran described as the most volatile threat environment in his 24-year career, with nearly 10,000 threat investigations opened since January, driven by online extremism, lone actors, and foreign adversaries. The internal affairs division is leading the inquiry, and it remains unclear whether the agent will face administrative sanctions or criminal prosecution. The case is likely to intensify scrutiny of the balance between the personal lives of senior officials and the security protocols designed to protect them, as the Trump administration continues to signal zero tolerance for leaks.