An agent assigned to Vice President JD Vance was placed on administrative leave after providing sensitive operational details to an undercover journalist, prompting an internal investigation and renewed security directives.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A U.S. Secret Service agent assigned to Vice President JD Vance’s protective detail has been placed on administrative leave after compromising security protocols by disclosing sensitive information to an undercover reporter, the agency confirmed.
The agent, identified as Tomas Escotto, provided real-time and forward-looking security details to an undercover journalist working with O’Keefe Media Group, including information about protective formations, shift changes, advance procedures, and secure locations, according to a statement released by the group in a press announcement.
O’Keefe Media Group said the agent also revealed future travel plans and took photographs inside Air Force Two while traveling with the vice president, despite acknowledging that he had signed documents prohibiting such actions. Video from the undercover encounter was later published online.
In the recorded exchanges, Escotto also discussed his personal political views, including admitting to voting for former President Joe Biden and expressing opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies.
Following the disclosure, the Secret Service circulated an internal memo reminding personnel of their obligations to safeguard sensitive information and to exercise discretion at all times. A copy of the message, shared publicly, emphasized that discretion and respect for privacy are non-negotiable standards for the agency and warned that failures place additional burdens on fellow agents tasked with rebuilding trust.
“The overwhelming majority of you get this right,” the memo stated, while adding that employees who cannot consistently meet the agency’s standards should reconsider their role. The message was later shared publicly via a social media post.
In a formal statement provided to O’Keefe Media Group, the Secret Service said the agent’s clearance had been suspended, his access to agency systems revoked, and an investigation launched into the incident. The agency also ordered all personnel to retake mandatory anti-espionage training.
“The U.S. Secret Service has no tolerance for any behavior that could potentially compromise the safety, privacy or trust of our protectees,” the agency said, adding that it apologized to the Vance family for the breach and reaffirmed its commitment to preventing similar incidents.
Journalist James O’Keefe discussed the undercover operation and the agency response during a podcast episode released Tuesday, which he promoted in a separate online post.
The Secret Service said the investigation remains ongoing and declined to comment on potential disciplinary outcomes beyond the administrative leave already imposed.
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