(USA Today): Sean Curran, the commander of President Donald Trump's personal security detail, has been named head of the US Secret Service. When a bullet grazed the president's ear during a rally in July, Curran stepped in to shield him, earning him recognition for his quick thinking during an attempted assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Two people were seriously injured and one person died as a result of the incident.
In a statement, Trump commended Curran for being a devoted citizen who has protected his family for many years. Curran's leadership skills were praised by the president, who called the Secret Service's staff "Brave Men and Women."
The Secret Service faced criticism for its response to the Pennsylvania assassination attempt, with investigations highlighting its inability to prevent what was deemed an avoidable attack. Reports revealed communication breakdowns between the Secret Service and local law enforcement, who had spotted the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, on a nearby rooftop more than an hour before the incident.
An independent investigation commissioned during former President Biden's administration described the Secret Service as "bureaucratic, complacent, and static," warning that without substantial reforms, similar attacks could occur. This led to the resignation of Kimberly Cheatle, the then-head of the Secret Service, and administrative actions against several agents. Curran, however, was not implicated in these reports.
The Senate is not required to confirm the president's appointment as director of the Secret Service. A bill to require confirmation hearings for the position was put forth by certain Republican lawmakers after the assassination attempt.
Curran has been protecting Trump for four years, most recently as the deputy special agent in charge of his protective detail. Prior to that, he worked in the agency's dignitary protection branch, protecting former President Obama. According to colleagues, Curran has a wealth of experience in the sector and is intelligent and talented.
"Curran takes over leadership during a difficult time for the agency, highlighting the need for support from the White House and Congress," said retired Secret Service agent Donald Mihalek. The Secret Service's duties have quadrupled since the 9/11 attacks, but money and staff support have not kept up, Mihalek noted.
Mihalek also stressed the urgency of increasing the agency’s resources and implementing human resources changes to recruit and retain top talent without being hindered by political mandates. He argued that such changes are long overdue.
The way the Secret Service handled two assassination attempts on Trump last year—the gunshot in Pennsylvania and another incident at Trump's golf course in South Florida—has drawn a lot of criticism. Both occurrences have been characterized by critics as significant operational failures.
Crooks was killed by a Secret Service countersniper after he climbed onto a rooftop during the Pennsylvania rally and fired eight bullets at Trump. It's unclear how the assailant managed to place himself undetected because he had a good line of sight.
Instead of evacuating Trump right away after the incident, Curran and other agents let him stand and continuously pump his fist while yelling, "Fight! Fight! Fight!" The safety of the candidate and the agents in the event of further threats was not given priority in this decision, which drew harsh criticism.
Former Secret Service Director John Magaw described the evacuation effort as poorly executed, noting that it endangered lives unnecessarily. While he refrained from directly criticizing Curran, photos showed Curran at Trump’s side shortly after the shooting.
In the second incident, which occurred in September, a man armed with a rifle was spotted hiding in bushes near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach. The individual, Ryan Routh, aimed his weapon at Trump after spending 12 hours in a wooded area adjacent to the course.
Given the amount of time Routh spent planning the attack, authorities questioned why the Secret Service had not discovered him sooner. The episode again brought to light the agency's operational inefficiencies and lack of situational awareness.
As public and political scrutiny of these high-profile security mistakes has increased, the agency's reputation has suffered. Experts and former agents have emphasized the necessity of major reforms to rebuild trust in the Secret Service.
Trump has stated his steadfast faith in Curran's leadership despite the difficulties, pointing to his dedication and years of service. Trump's intention to increase the agency's capability and accountability is indicated by the appointment.
Curran is a strategic choice to head the Secret Service at a time of significant political and public pressure because of his experience in protection services and his devotion to Trump.
Restoring operational integrity inside the Secret Service and making sure it is prepared to tackle changing security threats are the two challenges Curran has in his new position. Curran's leadership and more institutional backing will probably be necessary for the agency to succeed.
The need for systemic changes within the Secret Service, such as improved training, improved communication procedures, and closer cooperation with regional law enforcement organizations, has also been rekindled by the recent high-profile failures.
As Curran assumes a role with significant responsibility during a time when the Secret Service is under increased scrutiny, his leadership will be closely observed. His success in overcoming these obstacles may influence the agency's future course.