Secret Service chief Alles is stepping down: White House
The head of the US Secret Service, which guards President Donald Trump and visiting heads of state, is stepping down, the White House said yesterday. "US Secret Service director Randolph 'Tex' Alles...will be leaving shortly and President Trump has selected James M. Murray, a career member of the USSS, to take over as director beginning in May," Trump's spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. Here's more.
No reason was given for the sudden departure of Alles
No reason was given for the sudden departure of former Marine general Alles. There was speculation in the US-media that he may have been axed in connection to an incident in March at Trump's golf club and weekend retreat in Florida, where an unauthorized woman got past security carrying Chinese passports and several electronic devices including a thumb drive allegedly found to contain malware.
Alles lost job due to internal political battles, said reports
However, other reports said that Alles could have lost his job due to some twist in the reportedly often heated internal political battles over White House staffing. On Sunday, President Trump announced via tweet the departure of Homeland Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, who has spearheaded his controversial policies on trying to stop illegal immigrants and asylum seekers from entering the United States.
Secretary of Homeland Security will be leaving her position: Trump
Kevin McAleenan will become Acting Secretary for DHS, announced Trump
Secret Service job is to provide security to President, VP
The Secret Service's main job is to provide security for the president and vice president and their families, as well as former presidents and visiting heads of state. It also coordinates the securing of buildings like the White House and foreign embassies. A separate mission for the Secret Service focuses on fighting a range of financial crimes such as counterfeit currency and wire fraud.
