In a disturbing incident at Joint Base Andrews on Monday morning, an armed U.S. Secret Service agent assigned to protect Vice President Kamala Harris was hospitalized after exhibiting erratic and distressing behavior.
The incident, reported as a mental breakdown, has raised concerns about the psychological well-being of those tasked with protecting Harris and other high-ranking officials.
According to reports, the agent in question began speaking incoherently and was spouting gibberish.
When the special agent in charge and a detail shift supervisor attempted to calm the agent, a physical altercation ensued, resulting in the agent being handcuffed and withdrawn from service for a medical assessment.
The agent was detained by other Secret Service agents who intervened, and ambulances were called to the scene.
After an initial medical evaluation, the agent was admitted to a hospital. Sources indicated that there was no indication of substance use at this time, and the matter is currently being treated as a “medical incident.”
Disciplinary measures are not being considered at this point.
Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi told The Washington Examiner in a statement:
At approximately 9 a.m. April 22, a U.S. Secret Service special agent supporting the Vice President’s departure from Joint Base Andrews began displaying behavior their colleagues found distressing. The agent was removed from their assignment while medical personnel were summoned. The Vice President was at the Naval Observatory when this incident occurred and there was no impact on her departure from Joint Base Andrews. The U.S. Secret Service takes the safety and health of our employees very seriously. As this was a medical matter, we will not disclose any further details.
The Vice Presidential Protective Division is considered one of the most prestigious assignments within the Secret Service, second only to the Presidential Protective Division.
Agents assigned to this division have access to highly sensitive information and must undergo rigorous training and screening processes.
The incident highlights the immense pressure and stress that Secret Service agents face in their roles protecting high-ranking government officials. The psychological health of armed agents serving in close proximity to these individuals is a top priority for the Secret Service.
The agents mental health episode occurred before Harris arrived at the base, and she was not present when the altercation took place. The Secret Service said the vice president was never in danger, and her travel schedule was unaffected by the incident.
Stephen Dietrich is the publisher of The Horn News