A Secret Service agent faces internal investigation after attempting to bring his wife aboard a government aircraft during preparations for President Trump’s recent Scotland trip, according to federal officials.
The incident occurred last week at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where the agent’s wife had traveled from Dallas. She received a security briefing from agency staff and was given access to the base’s visitor lounge before supervisors intervened.
Officials say the agent planned to have his wife board a support aircraft that was part of the presidential convoy. The flight carried equipment and personnel but no Secret Service protectees. Despite this, agency policy prohibits unauthorized individuals from boarding any operational aircraft.
The agent received warnings from supervisors before the plane’s departure that proceeding would violate protocol. His wife was stopped from boarding and never left the United States.
“This action was caught and stopped in time,” a Secret Service spokesperson said. “The attempt had no impact on our protective mission overseas, and the matter is now subject to a personnel investigation.”
The agency has not released the agent’s name or announced additional disciplinary action. Officials declined to specify whether this represents an isolated incident or indicates broader procedural concerns.
President Trump addressed the situation briefly with reporters Tuesday after returning from Scotland. “Wouldn’t you think it might be a little dangerous?” he said, noting that Secret Service Director Sean M. Curran would “take care of it.”
The episode has caught attention within federal law enforcement, given the high stakes surrounding international presidential travel. Local legal experts note that access control lapses, even minor ones, can indicate larger accountability gaps in national security agencies.
