Secret Service Director Sean Curran said threats against the agency’s full-time protectees rose just over 40% in the past year, describing the increase as unprecedented in his experience. He and Deputy Director Matt Quinn made the comments in an interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes” that aired Sunday.
Asked what might be driving the increase, Curran pointed to the growth of the internet and social media. Quinn cited mental-health concerns as a major factor. Neither official attributed the increase to a particular political faction. They said the agency does not sort threats by political affiliation, while acknowledging concerns connected to events including the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot and assassination attempts against President Donald Trump.
The interview also addressed protective practices, including a reported plane switch in August. Curran said the agency had used similar procedures before, but did not specify whether it had previously used a decoy aircraft. He said public reporting about such tactics could limit their usefulness in the future. Quinn said the president’s safety takes priority during protective operations.
The agency has faced additional scrutiny after three officials were placed on leave in August. The source also reports that the FBI has not released some records sought in connection with the 2024 assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Judicial Watch President Thomas Fitton criticized the pace of the records process, saying the organization had been told it could take 12 years. That estimate and criticism were attributed to Fitton; the source does not include a response from the FBI or Justice Department.
The Secret Service’s threat increase and the officials’ explanations were reported in the televised interview. The figures and explanations are attributed to agency leadership.
