Erratic Secret Service Agent Sparks Controversy on Hiring Practices

Updated Facts

• Michelle Herczeg, a Secret Service agent, depicted uncharacteristic behavior while on duty at Joint Base Andrews, prompting questions about recruitment procedures within the agency.
• Herczeg’s actions included meddling with a colleague’s phone, concealing herself behind curtains, tossing items around, and making strange remarks. After being dismissed from duty, she physically assaulted a superior officer.
• Some speculate that Herczeg’s hiring may have been swayed by the Secret Service’s commitment to the 30×30 Pledge, endeavoring to increase the representation of women to 30% of the force by 2030.

A peculiar incident involving a Secret Service agent named Michelle Herczeg occurred earlier this week at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, triggering concern about the hiring policies within the agency. Assigned to Vice President Kamala Harris’s security detail, Herczeg’s shift began with unusual behavior, escalating into a series of concerning actions and ultimately violence.

Herczeg reportedly accessed another agent’s phone and proceeded to delete apps on it. She was heard murmuring to herself, hiding behind curtains, and throwing various items. She issued a disturbing warning to her colleagues, suggesting they were “going to burn in hell and needed to listen to God.”

The situation climaxed when Herczeg reacted aggressively towards the Special Agent in Charge (SAIC) intervening. She allegedly screamed and asserted that other female agents on the Vice President’s detail would support her. However, the SAIC deemed Herczeg was suffering a mental health crisis and relieved her from her duties.

When dismissed from duty, Herczeg reacted violently, reportedly chest-bumping the SAIC, tackling him to the ground, and punching him repeatedly. Other agents intervened to control Herczeg and secure her firearm.

“The U. S. Secret Service prioritizes the safety and well-being of our employees,” agency spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi stated. The agency views the incident as a “medical matter” and confirmed that Herczeg was “removed from their assignment.” However, Guglielmi withheld the gender of the involved agent.

In light of this incident, questions arose about whether the push to boost female representation within the agency might have affected Herczeg’s hiring. According to Ronald Kessler, a veteran reporter on the Secret Service, Herczeg “never should have been employed.”

Having filed a $1 million discrimination lawsuit against the Dallas Police Department in 2016, Herczeg’s record is not without controversy. The lawsuit claimed she faced unfavorable treatment due to her gender. However, the lawsuit was dismissed in 2021, a decision upheld by a Texas appeals court. According to Kessler, the lawsuit should have been a red flag for the Secret Service, where a “pristine record” is usually required.

Despite concerns about Herczeg’s hiring, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi denied any compromise on the agency’s standards to fulfill their 30X30 Pledge. He dismissed such claims as “categorically false.” Herczeg has not yet commented on the matter.

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