JD Vance's Secret Service agent put on leave after undercover video reveals security breach

WASHINGTON, DC: A Secret Service agent assigned to Vice President JD Vance has been placed on administrative leave as of Wednesday, January 14, following the release of an undercover video by journalist James O’Keefe.

The footage showed the agent disclosing sensitive information about the vice president’s travel plans and protective procedures.

The 14-minute report, posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, identified the agent as Tomas Escotto. In the video, Escotto appeared to believe he was on a date with a woman who was, in fact, working undercover for the O’Keefe Media Group.

Agent suspended pending internal investigation

The agency moved quickly after the video became public. Less than 24 hours later, Escotto was placed on leave.

The New York Post reported that his security clearance had been suspended and that he had been barred from accessing Secret Service facilities and systems while an internal investigation proceeded.

Deputy Director Matthew Quinn confirmed the agency’s response in a statement to the outlet. “The US Secret Service has no tolerance for any behavior that could potentially compromise the safety, privacy or trust of our protectees,” Quinn said.

The Secret Service did not comment on whether Escotto would face termination or criminal consequences, stating only that the matter remained under review.

Leaking JD Vance's travel plans and metadata 

According to the report, Escotto texted the woman on December 26 with details about Vance’s upcoming movements, including that the vice president would be in Ohio and Florida for several days the following week.

The agent also allegedly sent photographs of himself aboard Air Force Two. Some of the images reportedly contained metadata capable of revealing the location of the aircraft and motorcade, a significant breach of operational security designed to protect senior government officials.

Current and former law enforcement officials have long warned that even limited disclosures of timing, location, or movement patterns could create vulnerabilities for protectees.

Political bias exposed on date 

The undercover conversation extended beyond logistics into politics and policy. In the video, Escotto discussed protective tactics used by the agency and shared his personal political views.

He told the woman that he voted for former President Joe Biden and seemingly expressed opposition to the current administration’s immigration enforcement efforts, saying “I hate that s**t” when referencing ICE raids under President Donald Trump.

At one point, he acknowledged the agency rules, stating, “I sign[ed] paperwork, so if I don’t have to give out information, I never do, otherwise I get in trouble.”

Despite that admission, he continued to provide sensitive details during the exchange.

Agency orders mandatory espionage retraining

In response, the Secret Service began instituting agency-wide corrective measures. Quinn announced that all personnel had been ordered to “retake the agency’s required anti-espionage training.”

The directive was intended to reinforce awareness of “threats posed by individuals aiming to exploit agency employees for information about our protective operations,” he said.

Covert recordings are a hallmark of O’Keefe’s reporting. His organization previously released undercover footage involving Attorney General Pam Bondi last year.

The current incident, however, prompted immediate disciplinary action within the agency charged with safeguarding the nation’s top leaders.