Secret Service Reports Increase in Threats Against the Presidency

<p>Secret Service leadership detailed an increase in threats against the presidency and agents in the past year during a joint interview with CBS' "60 Minutes" on October 12, 2026.</p><p>Secret Service Director Sean Curran stated, "The threats on our full-time protectees are up just over 40% than they were last year. That's a massive increase."</p><p>Curran and Deputy Director Matt Quinn discussed potential causes for the rise in threats, with Curran suggesting the growth of the internet as a factor. Host Norah O'Donnell inquired if President Donald Trump contributed to the increase in threats.</p><p>O'Donnell asked, "President Trump is one of the most polarizing political figures in American history. Is that in some way leading to the increase in these threats?" Curran responded, "We are an apolitical organization. We're here to protect who we're sworn to protect." Quinn added, "I think the biggest factor we're dealing with today is mental health issues for sure. And more people are being pushed over the edge in either direction."</p><p>Curran noted, "The world is different than what it was 20 years ago. You know, social media changes people." The officials did not specify whether more threats originated from left-wing or right-wing sources, citing concerns from both the January 6 Capitol riots and assassination attempts against Trump.</p><p>Curran, who was the lead agent protecting Trump during the first assassination attempt against him in 2024, emphasized the importance of preparation. O'Donnell connected this idea to reports of Trump's Air Force One plane switch in August.</p><p>Curran stated, "Look, that's not the first time we've done that. We wish that wasn't reported, 'cause that takes some of our tactics away from being able to do something similar again. Certainly wasn't the first time where we did something like that."</p><p>Quinn defended the procedure that left agents behind in a decoy plane, stating, "When you're operating in any protective detail with the President of the United States, for any president, the priority is the president. Everyone else, staff, agents, media, personnel involved are not the priority, including our own personnel."</p><p>Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment. This interview occurred as the Secret Service faces ongoing scrutiny after three officials were placed on leave in August.</p><p>Protection for the president has also come under scrutiny as the FBI hesitates to release documents related to the investigation of the assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Judicial Watch President Thomas Fitton criticized the slow process of document release, stating, "They are telling us that, at current processing rates, the process will take 12 years. Under the FBI's timeline, we won't even be able to challenge what they withheld until 12 years from now. That is obviously unacceptable."</p>