Additional Coverage:
- Vance ordered Marine Corp to chopper in his son to golf lesson as Secret Service ‘fed up’ with VP (irishstar.com)
Secret Service Agents Express Frustration Over Vice President JD Vance’s Travel Requests
Secret Service agents assigned to protect Vice President JD Vance are reportedly growing frustrated with what they describe as “ridiculous” travel demands. According to sources familiar with the situation, tensions have mounted over Vance’s recent requests involving the use of government resources.
Last week, Vance allegedly asked to have one of his sons flown to a golf lesson aboard Marine Two, the Marine Corps helicopter designated for the vice president’s transport. The operation of this aircraft costs taxpayers an estimated $16,000 to $24,600 per hour, based on 2022 Defense Department budget figures. Vance intended to travel with his son to Joint Base Andrews, which houses a top-tier, secure golf facility located about a 36-minute drive from his Washington, D.C. residence.
Insiders revealed that Secret Service agents voiced their dissatisfaction internally as they prepared to accompany the helicopter crew last Thursday. The expensive trip was ultimately canceled at the last minute due to severe weather conditions in the D.C. area, including thunderstorms and high winds. One source described the planned golf outing as “RIDICULOUS,” noting that previous vice presidents, including Mike Pence and Kamala Harris, never made comparable demands.
The grievances raised by the agents highlight broader concerns about morale within the protective detail assigned to Vance and his family. Several agents have reportedly expressed frustration over what they see as inappropriate and unprecedented uses of government assets, especially compared to the practices of past administrations. The last-minute nature of many travel requests, often made by Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance, has been a particular sticking point.
Recently, the couple requested multiple urgent helicopter trips to the Middleburg, Virginia area as they searched for a new home to accommodate their growing family-Usha Vance is currently expecting their fourth child. Sources indicate that prior vice presidents typically provided the Secret Service with days of advance notice regarding travel plans and at least several hours’ warning for any changes. In contrast, Vance’s team frequently alters schedules on short notice, causing logistical challenges and increased costs.
These abrupt changes require agents to cancel personal time and rapidly develop security protocols, adding strain to an already demanding role. Former and current Secret Service personnel emphasize that such unpredictability significantly drives up taxpayer expenses and complicates mission planning.
In response to the reports, Vance’s office issued a statement acknowledging the challenges. “The Vances are grateful to the men and women of the U.S.
Secret Service who serve our country with distinction,” the statement said. “While protecting a Vice President with a large policy portfolio and a young and growing family presents a unique challenge, agents of the Secret Service do so with excellence every day.”
Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn also commented, underscoring the commitment required of agents. “When U.S.
Secret Service Special Agents choose to join a protective detail, they understand the commitment required: long hours, frequent travel, and the need for constant flexibility,” Quinn said. “Nights, weekends, and holidays are part of the job.
Our agents work tirelessly to ensure protectees’ safety and security, while also preserving normalcy to the extent possible. This is a job that requires absolute dedication and discipline.”
As the vice president balances official duties with family life, the Secret Service faces the ongoing challenge of adapting to evolving demands while maintaining security and operational efficiency.