On Wednesday, President Trump announced the appointment of Sean Curran as the Director of the U.S. Secret Service, sharing the news on his Truth Social platform. In his post, Trump hailed Curran as "a Great Patriot who has diligently safeguarded my family over the past few years, earning my unwavering trust to lead the valiant men and women of the United States Secret Service."
Curran, who has served as Trump's special agent in charge of security for four years, demonstrated his bravery by rushing to shield Trump during the first assassination attempt against him on July 13th in Butler, Pennsylvania. During his tenure leading the former president's protective detail, Curran oversaw a team of 85 personnel. Trump recalled on Wednesday, "He exhibited fearless courage by risking his own life to save mine from an assassin's bullet in Butler, Pennsylvania."
Curran first joined the agency in September 2001 and rose to the position of deputy special agent in charge of the Presidential Protective Detail on December 29th. This unit, comprising hundreds of agents, is responsible for the security of the current president and the first family.
Trump's selection of Curran goes against the recommendations of two bipartisan commissions, which in 2015 and earlier this year advised the next president to appoint someone external to the agency as director. Unlike other cabinet positions or the FBI Director, the appointment to lead the Secret Service does not require Senate confirmation.
Curran will succeed Ron Rowe, who has served as acting director since July, following the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle amidst harsh criticism over the agency's failure to prevent an assassination attempt on Trump during a campaign rally. The incident also resulted in the injury of two rally attendees and the death of 50-year-old Cory Comperatore.
As Curran assumes the top-ranking position, it marks his first assignment at the service's headquarters. Currently, he is not a member of the Senior Executive Service, which comprises the highest-ranking officials within the agency.
