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An agent who helped cover Donald Trump when a gunman opened fire at him during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania has been chosen by the president-elect to lead the US Secret Service.
Donald Trump Jr said his father would be naming Sean Curran, who has headed Trump’s detail as special agent in charge for the past two and a half years, to be the agency’s new director.
“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!” Trump Jr posted on X on Friday.
The Secret Service has been under intense scrutiny after Trump was wounded in the assassination attempt at a 13 July 2024, rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. After the gunman fired, Trump was shielded by Curran and other Secret Service agents who had rushed to the stage.
Curran, who has served in the agency for more than two decades, took an active role in pushing for more security resources for Trump, according to CNN. However, concerns have been raised that Curran lacks the managerial experience to head a complex organization such as the Secret Service. Curran has supervised about 85 people on Trump’s detail.
Despite Trump praising the service in the aftermath of the first assassination attempt, many people criticized the agency’s handling of the event, with several questioning how the gunman was able to obtain such a clear shot with so many agents present.
A second failed assassination attempt occurred at his Florida golf course on 15 September. In the first attempt, Trump’s right ear was grazed by a bullet. He sustained no injuries in the second attempt.
One of the main criticisms was that local and federal law enforcement agencies were not communicating effectively and that the lapse allowed the Pennsylvania gunman to climb to a rooftop and fire on Trump. A counter-sniper shot and killed the gunman.
The Associated Press contributed reporting
