The U.S. Secret Service has placed one of its agents on administrative leave and revoked his security clearance after he posted disparaging remarks on Facebook about slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, according to two U.S. officials.
Anthony Pough wrote Wednesday that Kirk had “spewed hate and racism on his show,” adding, “at the end of the day, you answer to GOD… You can only circumvent karma, she doesn’t leave.”
Secret Service Director Sean Curran addressed the incident in a memo circulated to staff Thursday night, warning that politically motivated attacks are on the rise and stressing that employees must not inflame tensions.
“The men and women of the Secret Service must be focused on being the solution, not adding to the problem,” Curran wrote. “We must operate every day without bias towards political affiliation.”
A Secret Service spokesperson confirmed the disciplinary action, saying in a statement: “The U.S. Secret Service will not tolerate behavior that violates our code of conduct. This employee was immediately put on administrative leave, and an investigation has begun.”
Curran’s memo emphasized the importance of maintaining public trust: “When our actions draw public attention for the wrong reasons, we fall short of that duty and compromise the trust essential to fulfill our mission.”
Pough has not publicly responded to the reports.
