The U.S. Secret Service is under scrutiny after suspending two uniformed officers who got into a physical fight while on duty outside former President Barack Obama’s residence in the Kalorama neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. on May 21 and was captured on video, showing the officers exchanging blows and shoves. One of them, visibly agitated, used her radio to request the presence of a supervisor, warning that “I need a supervisor here… immediately before I beat this girl up.”
Journalist Susan Crabtree posted video and audio of the altercation on Twitter, noting that the incident took place about two miles from the White House. The Secret Service confirmed the incident and suspended both agents while an internal investigation is underway.
An agency spokesman told The New York Post : “The Secret Service has a very strict code of conduct for all of its employees, and any behavior that violates it is unacceptable.”
More doubts about the Secret Service
This episode adds to a series of incidents that have called into question the professionalism and effectiveness of the Secret Service. In September 2024, an armed security guard approached former President Obama just feet away , using a laptop inside his SUV, parked in an alley next to Mother Wolf restaurant in Los Angeles.
The guard, who was working at a private event in the same building, reported that when he approached the vehicle, he was surprised to see Obama inside and quickly retreated, fearing he would be seen as a threat. The Secret Service claimed there were no guards in the vehicle during the incident, but eyewitnesses contradicted this account.
These events have raised concerns about the Secret Service’s ability to ensure the safety of the nation’s top officials and former presidents. The fight between agents outside Obama’s residence and the incident in Los Angeles highlight the need for a thorough review of the protocols and training of personnel responsible for presidential protection.
The agency has faced criticism in the past for other security lapses, such as the 2014 incident when an armed intruder managed to enter the White House , and the 2011 shooting that went unnoticed for several days. This history, coupled with recent events surrounding President Donald Trump’s security during his time as a candidate, has prompted a reevaluation of the agency. However, this episode won’t help.