A U.S. Secret Service agent assigned to Vice President JD Vance’s protective detail has been placed on administrative leave, with his security clearance suspended and his access to agency facilities and systems revoked, after allegations surfaced that he shared sensitive security information with an undercover journalist posing as a romantic interest.
The agent, Tomas Escotto, was recorded on hidden camera describing details that included protective formations, shift schedules, travel plans, and real-time locations, according to a report by O’Keefe Media Group. In the footage, Escotto reportedly criticized the Trump administration’s immigration policies, said he voted for Joe Biden and “hates ICE,” and acknowledged that non-disclosure agreements prohibit disclosure of such information.
The journalist allegedly cultivated a personal relationship and, investigators say, received information about future travel plans days in advance. Escotto also allegedly sent images from Air Force Two while traveling with the vice president. O’Keefe Media Group said it coordinated with the Secret Service before publishing and redacted certain operational details at the agency’s request to avoid compromising security.
Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn addressed the situation in an internal memo, writing that the employee was “deliberately targeted and manipulated,” but also failed to meet the agency’s standards. Quinn added that the conduct “runs counter to our values, our policies, and the training we provide to prevent exactly this type of compromise.”
In a statement provided to O’Keefe Media Group and Fox News, Quinn said: “The U.S. Secret Service has no tolerance for any behavior that could potentially compromise the safety, privacy or trust of our protectees. This incident is under investigation and the employee involved has been placed on administrative leave with his clearance suspended and access to agency facilities and systems revoked.”
Following the allegations, the agency ordered personnel to retake required anti-espionage training to reinforce awareness of manipulation tactics and other threats aimed at extracting protective-operation information. The Secret Service also expressed apologies to the Vance family over what it described as a breach of trust and privacy.
Fox News, which also reported on the allegations, said the matter is raising broader concerns about operational security inside the agency. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
