The US Secret Service official overseeing protective operations of elected officials, foreign dignitaries, and high-profile events is retiring after 27 years with the agency. Michael Plati’s departure comes amid fallout from Donald Trump’s near-assassination in July. Plati had been discussing retirement with family for over a year and his departure was a personal decision, as stated by a Secret Service spokesperson. Plati was not asked to retire by senior leadership. The agency is facing increased scrutiny and an intensified campaign schedule leading up to the 2024 election.
Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned in July following criticism for security lapses during the assassination attempt on Trump at a campaign rally. The agency is under pressure from lawmakers to hold individuals accountable for those security failures. Acting Director Ronald Rowe has indicated that he will wait for the results of internal investigations into the shooting before making personnel decisions related to that day’s failures. Multiple Secret Service personnel from the Pittsburgh Field Office and one member of Trump’s security detail involved in the rally’s advance planning have been reassigned to administrative duties and ordered to work from home.
Plati’s retirement follows the departure of Director Kimberly Cheatle in the wake of the security lapses at the campaign rally where Trump was almost assassinated. Cheatle resigned amid criticism for the agency’s handling of the situation, and the Secret Service is facing pressure to address the security failures. Acting Director Ronald Rowe has stated that he will wait for the results of internal investigations before making decisions on personnel changes. Multiple Secret Service personnel involved in the rally have been reassigned to administrative duties.
Plati’s retirement is his personal decision after discussing it with his family for over a year. The Secret Service spokesperson denied reports that Plati was asked to retire by senior leadership, stating that he made the choice himself. The agency is facing scrutiny and increased demands as the 2024 election approaches. The Secret Service is under pressure to address the security failures that occurred during the attempted assassination of Trump at the July campaign rally. Multiple personnel have been reassigned to administrative duties pending internal investigations.
The departure of Michael Plati, an assistant director at the Secret Service, follows the resignation of Director Kimberly Cheatle in the aftermath of security lapses at a campaign rally where Trump was nearly assassinated. Plati’s retirement was a personal decision, and the agency is facing heightened scrutiny and a busy campaign schedule leading up to the 2024 election. Acting Director Ronald Rowe has stated that he will wait for the results of internal investigations before making personnel decisions. Several Secret Service personnel involved in the rally have been reassigned to administrative duties as the agency grapples with security failures and accountability issues.
