Report: Four Secret Service Officials Will Step Down, but May Find Other Jobs at DHS

The Washington Post is reporting that four senior officials at the Secret Service will be removed from their posts, in the wake of several high-profile security failures that include a White House shooting that agents didn't investigate, and an intruder who jumped the fence and was able to make it inside the White House.

But the Post cited sources who said the four assistant directors aren't being fired from the government, and have been told they can find other jobs either at the Secret Service or the Department of Homeland Security if they don't want to retire.

The Washington Post is reporting that four senior Secret Service officials are being asked to leave, but that they can still work at DHS if they want. Image: AP

Acting Secret Service Director Joseph Clancy told the Post that new blood was needed at senior positions in order to lead the agency after the scandals. But he said the four officials could still contribute to the government's security mission in some way in other positions.

"Change is necessary to gain a fresh perspective on how we conduct business," he told the paper. "I am certain any of our senior executives will be productive and valued assets either in other positions at the Secret Service or the department."

The Post reported that a fifth senior official has decided to retire in the wake of scandals that had both Republicans and Democrats calling for more accountability at the Secret Service.

The several failures, which also included attempts to cover up the hiring of a prostitute during a trip to Colombia, led former Secret Service Director Julia Pierson to resign in October.

The prostitution scandal led Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), who now chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, to charge that the White House was trying to hide the fact that one of its own officials was involved in that scandal.

In December, a government review said the Secret Service was "starved for leadership that rewards innovation and excellence," and also recommended a higher White House fence.