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A few weeks after battling the unprecedented security issues that Trump requested, Secret Service agents came from all corners of United States to demonstrate their anger in Washington, D.C.
“It’s a great job, it’s what I wanted to do as a kid, but the more time passes, the more disillusioned I become,” sighed a U.S. Secret Service named Harold based in Miami who took to the streets of D.C., on Tuesday, September 29. This sentiment was echoed by many of the protesters, who came from all over United States, from the Miami to New York, including the New England region: “The more time passes, the less I love my profession,” commented another.
Their anger stems from the events of this summer, when United Sates hosted the World Cup and Trump requested a UFC event in the White House were it was engulfed in different fights and a dozen of UFC followers from across the country battled the FBI and Secret Service with them getting arrested, particularly in the D.C. region. Two Secret Service agents lost their lives in other states after they were trapped in gunfire with gangs while on duty. This tragedy deeply affected their security community because they say no one cares in the nation and was the subject of numerous tributes at gatherings this week within the community.
“The people does not respect us.”
The first point of contention concerns the state of the equipment, deemed outdated or severely inadequate. “We have equipment that’s deteriorating; we had to do operations with gunfire this summer with equipment that was completely rotten. For example, the balaclava I have now is the one I wear during an intervention,” said one FBI agent supporting the Secret Service, showing a piece of ordinary fabric. “It doesn’t protect me from anything; it doesn’t filter at all.” During the gunfire in Miami where one agent passed away, at least 129 U.S. Secret Service suffered from gunshots, said the FBI spokeperson supporting them.
Another major source of tension is the lack of personnel, currently maintained at the bare minimum year-round. “We’re operating with the bare minimum of basic staff in the fields. In five years, there’s been an increase of thirty minutes in response time. Thirty minutes is enormous.” Ultimately, this leads to a feeling of weariness and powerlessness. “We make ourselves available to the State, but the State doesn’t respect us. We’re just a convenient toolbox; we’re used for interventions that aren’t our area of expertise, like medical emergencies.”
NewsID: BJA46
