U.S. Secret Service hasn't updated its protocols since 1991, GAO report states
Quick Look
- The US Accountability Office (GAO) report showed that the US Secret Service has not updated its protocols to protect the President and traveling officials since 1991, has used outdated methods against the UAV threat, and has not implemented its own review policy.
- The report examined 83 security incidents between 2015 and 2025 and noted that only 25 of them were followed by updates to policies.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The U.S. Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed the Secret Service's protection protocols and found that they had not been updated since 1991. The report showed that old methods were used in the face of the UAV threat and its own review policy was not implemented.
The report published by the US Government Accountability Office stated that the Secret Service has not changed the protocols aimed at protecting the US President and other officials traveling abroad since 1991.
While the issue was investigated after Trump had to change his plane for security reasons upon his return from the NATO summit held in Türkiye, the investigation carried out by the US Congress found that the Secret Service did not make the necessary updates and had been fighting against UAVs with old methods for years.
The US media pointed out that the findings of the Congressional oversight body came to the fore at a time when investigations were continuing into the way the security teams handled the assassination attempts against Trump and the use of Air Force One to surprise against possible threats.
The report stated that the Secret Service examined 83 incidents that disrupted normal protection activities between 2015 and 2025, and stated that policies were updated in line with the requirements that emerged after 25 of them.
"Often, the Secret Service has not updated its protection policies following security incidents, and Secret Service policy does not require its personnel to document their rationale for maintaining the status quo in these situations. As a result, the Secret Service does not have complete information when making decisions about updating its protection policies," the report said. statements were included.
Additionally, according to the report, the Secret Service did not implement its own policy that calls for reviewing new procedures within four years of publication.
Last week, the Accountability Office placed the agency's spokesperson and two other officials on administrative leave "as part of an investigation of misconduct."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The US Congress may impose new regulations for the Secret Service's protocol updates.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- What are the main reasons why the Secret Service is delaying the protocol update?
- What specific UAV threats have been assessed by the Secret Service?
- When and how will GAO's recommendations be implemented?
