President-elect Donald Trump has selected one of the Secret Service agents who protected him after a gunman opened fire at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania to lead the agency.
Sean Curran, the special agent in charge of Trump's personal security detail, will take the helm as director at a time when the agency faces mounting scrutiny after two failed attempts on the president-elect's life.
The announcement was made by Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., who praised Curran's dedication and character in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday
Why It Matters
The decision comes after a turbulent period for the Secret Service, which has been under intense pressure in the wake of the assassination attempts.
How Did Donald Trump's Assassination Attempts Occur?
The first occurred on July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a gunman opened fire on the stage, grazing Trump's ear.
A second attempt was thwarted on September 15, 2024, at Trump's Mar-a-Lago golf course in Florida, though the candidate emerged unscathed.
The July incident in Butler raised significant concerns about coordination between local and federal law enforcement.
Critics pointed to failures in communication that allowed the gunman to position himself on a rooftop undetected, opening fire before a counter-sniper could neutralize the threat.
What to Know
In the aftermath of the shooting, Curran's actions were widely praised.
As the gunman began shooting, he rushed to shield Trump, who was hit by the bullet but remained standing long enough to make a defiant gesture to the crowd.
Despite his injury, Trump raised his fist and mouthed the words "Fight! Fight! Fight!" before being swiftly escorted off the stage by Secret Service agents, with Curran at his side.
Curran has a strong personal connection with Trump, according to CNN, and currently oversees a team of about 85 personnel.
If appointed, he would succeed Ron Rowe, who has been serving as acting director since July.
Rowe stepped into the role after Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned following intense criticism of the agency's failure to prevent the assassination attempt.
What People Are Saying
Donald Trump Jr wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "Sean is a great patriot and will stop all the insanity once and for all. There's not a better person to be in this position!"
What Happens Now
As he takes the reins of the Secret Service, Curran faces the dual challenge of overseeing the security of the president and restoring confidence in an organization that has come under scrutiny amid the high-profile incidents.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press.
English (US) ·