I learned many troubling things about the Secret Service from Carol Leonnig’s book and during her virtual book interview with Michael Krasny hosted by Book Passage (Video link) Leonnig makes it clear that politicized members of the Secret Service played an active role in spreading COVID. Specifically Tony Ornato, who went from protecting Trump as a Secret Service agent to promoting Trump as his Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of the rallies.
Leonning explained on her book tour that Congress and the White House are “allergic” to investigating the Secret Service. But if we are to keep the current President and VP safe post January 6th. there needs to be an investigation to see who can be trusted.
I did some simple research and found out the Secret Service is under the Department of Homeland Security, The House committee that would investigate them is chaired by a Democrat, Bennie G. Thompson, so I wrote to see if they were planning on investigating the role senior members of agency played in spreading COVID, or in covering up for Trump’s campaign staff’s reckless disregard for the health of agents, officers and the general public.
We need to push for this. If we don’t, the committee will be pushed by the right on “the border crisis” and then all the hard work done revealing the problems will be covered up. When I suggested an investigation my friends were quick to point out all the ways that Trump will “get away with it” Or ask “Why bother? We have a better chance of busting Trump for tax fraud.” Because people died! When they get away with murder, they will keep doing it.
Here’s my letter. If you would like to see an investigation happen you can help by asking the members on the committee. (They are listed below. I’d especially like to alert those in New Jersey where Trump’s Bedminster club is located that Leonnig said agents were told not to wear masks, in violation of CDC guidelines & state laws.
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Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, (D) MS
Chairman, House Committee on Homeland Security
On Oct 5, 2020 you requested a briefing from the Secret Service agency on the current safeguards in place for Secret Service employees to be kept safe from coronavirus-related threats–including those from the President.
(CHAIRMAN THOMPSON STATEMENT ON TRUMP’S DISREGARD FOR HEALTH OF PUBLIC, SECRET SERVICE)
1) What was the response to your request? Was it satisfactory?
2) As the Chairman of the group that oversees the agency, will you convene a hearing to investigate it based on the reporting from Carol Leonnig’s recent book Zero Fail?
3) I’m specifically concerned about the role played by Tony Ornato while he was Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations during the COVID rallies. Ornato has returned to the Secret Service in a training capacity, so he is under the purview of your committee for oversight.
Carol Leonnig’s reporting has shown over 300 agents were infected or taken off the line because of exposure to co-workers with COVID. (Video link) This weakened the ability of the agency to do its job.
4) Leonnig said that there is definitive proof that the Tulsa rally led to a 4-fold spike in COVID cases in the community. (Video link)
Is your committee looking into whose actions led to this unnecessary illness and loss of life following that event and others in multiple states?
6) Leonnig has said that Congress & the White House do not want to investigate the Service because of their close personal ties with agents. Leonnig revealed the previous group of agents had to be changed out because of concerns from President Biden’s staff. Has your committee looked into those concerns about the previous agents’ performance under the current administration?
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7) It is clear from Leonnig’s reporting that members of the Secret Service have been politicized by the previous administration, what is not clear is who was involved and if that subversion led to criminal actions by members of the Secret Service.
8) If there is no investigation planned by your committee, are you aware of other committees that are looking into the role of the Secret Service in spreading COVID nationwide?
LLAP,
Spocko
Rep. Tom Malinowski, (D) NJ 7th District Trump’s Bedminster Golf Club is located in Malinowski’s district @RepMalinowski