If you work for the Secret Service, it’s in your job description to take one for the president. Unless the president is a racist who has offended everyone who isn’t a rich white man—then I forgive you if you don’t want to take one for the team. But it looks like the Secret Service isn’t as forgiving, since it has launched an official investigation into the comments made by an agent who suggested that she wouldn’t be willing to take a bullet for President Donald Trump.
According to the Washington Examiner, Special Agent Kerry O’Grady, who is in charge of the Denver office, is now being investigated after comments she made on social media some seven months ago. O’Grady posted messages to her Facebook page, including this one, according to the Examiner:
As a public servant for nearly 23 years, I struggle not to violate the Hatch Act. So I keep quiet and skirt the median. To do otherwise can be a criminal offense for those in my position. Despite the fact that I am expected to take a bullet for both sides. But this world has changed and I have changed. And I would take jail time over a bullet or an endorsement for what I believe to be disaster to this country and the strong and amazing women and minorities who reside here. Hatch Act be damned. I am with Her.
The Service Service issued a statement to the Examiner regarding O’Grady’s posts:
In late 2016, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) referred allegations of an employee’s social media post to the Secret Service for our review. An inquiry was conducted into the matter and action was taken.
On Monday evening, Jan. 23, this same employee self-reported contact by a member of the national media regarding their social media posts. On Tuesday, Jan. 24, the Secret Service contacted the DHS OIG who declined to take the matter for further review and referred the matter back to the Secret Service Office of Professional Responsibility (RES) for action. Currently, the Secret Service Office of Professional Responsibility (RES) is investigating the matter.
All Secret Service agents and employees are held to the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct. Allegations of misconduct are taken seriously and investigated.
According to AL.com, O’Grady was expelled Wednesday from the Association of Former Agents of the U.S. Secret Service.
Read more at the Washington Examiner and AL.com.