The Secret Service, responsible for protecting U.S. leaders, is struggling with a decade-old staffing shortfall. The agency is nearly 10% smaller than it was in 2014, despite a rising number of threats.
Current staffing levels show about 350 fewer agents than needed. This shortage comes as the number of people needing protection has increased, including the large families of Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Former agents reveal that private sector jobs are luring many away with better pay and less demanding schedules.
Officials have warned that these staffing issues, coupled with increased threats, compromise the agency’s ability to effectively protect national leaders and manage the security challenges they face.
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