Three Secret Service Communications Staff Placed on Leave During Misconduct Investigation

Three non-law enforcement personnel in the U.S. Secret Service's communications office were placed on administrative leave on Tuesday pending an investigation by the Office of Professional Responsibility into potential misconduct, according to reporting from Fox News and the Washington Examiner. The three officials included Secret Service communications chief Anthony Guglielmi.

The Secret Service statement, per the Washington Examiner, said: "Three non-law enforcement personnel at the U.S. Secret Service have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into potential misconduct. Per policy, this incident is being investigated by the Office of Professional Responsibility. We are unable to comment further at this time."

As is standard protocol in misconduct investigations, the three officials have lost their security clearances and access to their work devices, according to the Washington Examiner. The Office of Professional Responsibility was just beginning its review on Tuesday and did not offer details about what the three officials were being investigated for, Fox News reports.

The Secret Service characterized its stance on personnel standards in a separate statement, per the Washington Examiner: "We are committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in fulfilling our zero-fail mission of protecting the President and other high-level government officials. Our critical work demands that our workforce maintain an unwavering commitment to duty, honesty, and courage in all aspects of their jobs."

The suspension comes as the Secret Service faces intensified scrutiny from Congress and the public over protection gaps following two assassination attempts against President Trump. The agency announced on Tuesday, according to Fox News, that it was aware of a threat from Iran against the president's youngest son, Barron Trump. A video released by media affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps offered a $10 million reward for Barron Trump's location and claimed an Iranian agent had infiltrated his inner circle, per the Washington Examiner. A similar video had previously targeted first lady Melania Trump with details of her schedule and daily habits.

Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn told reporters last month, according to Fox News: "I don't think it's any secret, it's been in the media, that Iran has publicly said they want to kill President Trump." Spokesperson Nate Herring stated, per Fox News: "The U.S. Secret Service is aware of the video and investigates anything that can be perceived as a threat toward our protectees," adding that "out of concern for operational security, we do not discuss matters of protective intelligence." In July, Trump switched from Air Force One to another aircraft in Turkey via a catering truck due to a credible Iranian surface-to-air missile threat, Fox News reports.