Key facts
- Secret Service policy updates have been delayed and contain gaps, according to a GAO report.
- Some policies remained unchanged for over 20 years, including those for foreign trips and visits.
- The agency failed to document its rationale for not updating policies after security incidents.
- Between 2015 and 2025, 83 security incidents occurred, but only 25 resulted in policy updates.
- Eight of 22 protection policies were not updated within the mandated four-year timeframe.
- An overseas security memorandum of understanding has not been updated since 1991.
A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report has revealed significant delays and deficiencies in the U.S. Secret Service's policy update procedures, particularly concerning emerging threats like civilian drones. The agency has failed to adequately adapt its security protocols despite numerous incidents, including an assassination attempt on then-candidate Donald Trump.
The GAO found that between 2015 and 2025, the Secret Service dealt with 83 security incidents but only updated its protection policies in response to 25 of them. A key concern is the agency's failure to document the rationale behind decisions not to update policies, a practice exemplified by several drone-related incidents. These included a drone making contact with President Barack Obama’s motorcade in 2015 and another flown over a rally for then-presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
Furthermore, the report indicated that the Secret Service failed to update eight out of 22 protection policies within the mandated four-year timeframe. A memorandum of understanding between the Secret Service and the Diplomatic Security Service, which outlines responsibilities for the president’s overseas security, has not been updated since 1991, despite requiring annual review. This outdated agreement does not account for contemporary threats such as drones.
Nathan Tranquilli, acting director of the GAO, noted that the agency faces numerous challenges in its "zero fail mission" and that some policy updates have been sidelined due to resource allocation decisions. The report recommended that the Secret Service revise its policy to mandate the documentation of rationales when security incidents do not lead to policy changes. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the agency, has agreed with all recommendations and plans to implement the necessary changes.