A recent conversation with a Trump supporter about overhauling the Secret Service prompted me, a former agent, to reflect on how to improve the agency without politicizing it. Here are some key reforms:

Former President Trump with Secret Service protection. (Rebecca Droke/AFP via Getty Images)

Modernizing Civil Service Protections

The Secret Service employs highly qualified individuals, but like any organization, there can be issues with performance or conduct. Unlike specialized military units, the Secret Service operates under federal civil service protections, making it difficult and time-consuming to remove underperforming agents. This was highlighted in the 2024 congressional hearings following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Even if agent errors contributed to the incident, existing rules protect their employment. An executive order could exempt Secret Service agents from these rules, allowing for dismissal based on "failure to maintain standards," while incorporating safeguards and a clear burden of proof to prevent unfair dismissals.

Elevating Protective Detail Standards

The Counter Assault Team (CAT) within the Secret Service maintains rigorous selection and training standards. However, this level of rigor isn't consistently applied to the Presidential Protective Detail (PPD) or Vice-Presidential Detail (VPD). Implementing demanding physical, firearms, and tactical standards for these details, with reassignment for those who don't meet them, would enhance protective capabilities.

Refocusing the Agency's Mission

The Secret Service's investigative role, often justified as a training ground for agents, could be reassigned to other federal agencies. This would allow agents to concentrate on protective duties and specialized training, streamlining the agency's focus. The current investigative work, primarily financial crimes, doesn't provide the necessary skills for presidential protection. Practical protection experience is more valuable than investigative work, and reassignment would free up resources for enhanced training.

Secret Service agent protecting President Biden. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

The Secret Service remains a highly skilled organization, and Director Rowe's acknowledgment of the Butler incident and commitment to improvements is commendable. The agents' immediate response in Butler underscores their dedication, regardless of political affiliations. Refocusing the agency through these non-political reforms will enhance its core mission of protection while maintaining its professional and non-partisan nature.