In an Interview granted by Secret Service Director Randolph
“Tex” Alles to USA Today, the US Secret Service cannot pay hundreds of
agents to protect President Donald Trump and his large family and their
multiple residences up and down the East Coast.
Director Randolph said that more than 1,000 agents have already hit
the federally mandated caps for salary and overtime allowances that were
meant to last the entire year.
The agency has faced a crushing workload since the height of the
contentious election season, and it has not relented in the first seven
months of the administration. Agents must protect Trump – who
has travelled almost every weekend to his properties in Florida, New
Jersey and Virginia – and his adult children whose business trips and
vacations have taken them across the country and overseas.
“The president has a large family, and our responsibility is required
in law,” Alles said. “I can’t change that. I have no flexibility.”
Under Trump, 42 people have protection, a number that includes 18
members of his family. That’s up from 31 during the Obama
administration.
However, Alles in a later statement released to CNN said that the
problem isn’t just related to the Trump administration and has been
going on for many years.
“This issue is not one that can be attributed to the current
administration’s protection requirements but, rather, has been an
ongoing issue for nearly a decade due to an overall increase in
operational tempo,” part of the statement read.