A U.S. Secret Service (USSS) agent accidentally shot himself on Saturday in Washington, D.C., amid growing scrutiny of the agency in recent months.
The USSS confirmed that the agent accidentally discharged his weapon while on duty, resulting in non-life-threatening injuries. He was taken to the hospital, and no one else was injured during the incident.
Described by the agency as a “negligent discharge,” further details about the circumstances of the shooting have not yet been disclosed. The Secret Service Office of Professional Responsibility has announced plans to investigate the matter, according to WUSA9.
Real Clear Politics correspondent Susan Crabtree commented on the shooting in a post on X (formerly Twitter), citing a source within the USSS who claimed that “this happens way too often.” Crabtree also noted that the frequency of the agency’s firearm training sessions has reportedly decreased in recent years, potentially due to manpower shortages following the COVID-19 pandemic.
This incident comes at a time when the USSS is under heightened scrutiny, particularly following two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump during the 2024 election cycle. USSS Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned after a shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump was injured in the ear due to