The United States Secret Service has reported a 40% increase in threats against its protectees this year, including the president, according to a joint interview with Director Sean Curran and Deputy Director Matthew Quinn on CBS’ 60 Minutes. The agency has recorded 10,000 threat cases in 2024 alone, with the year not yet concluded.
New drone threats emerge as top security concern. The Secret Service is developing countermeasures against attack drones, including swarms and weaponized models, which officials describe as an unresolved challenge. Deputy Director Quinn acknowledged that while defensive systems are improving, the agency has not yet solved the threat posed by drone swarms. The agency has already deployed electronic jamming equipment to neutralize drones at high-profile events, such as the December Army-Navy game, where the president and members of Congress were present.
Rising threats linked to digital accessibility. Secret Service leadership attributed the surge in threats partly to the growth of the internet and social media, which they say has made information and individuals more accessible. Curran noted that the modern threat landscape differs significantly from past decades, with mental health crises and online radicalization cited as contributing factors. The agency does not categorize threats by political affiliation, emphasizing that concerns arise from both left-wing and right-wing extremism.
President Trump remains the most targeted protectee. The Secret Service has recorded three known assassination attempts against President Trump in the past two and a half years, including incidents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, his Florida golf course, and the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where a shooter breached security perimeters. The agency has not specified whether threats originate more from one political side, stating that it does not weigh threats in that manner.
Drone risks extend beyond lone gunmen. Officials warn that small, rudimentary drones could be weaponized with explosives, posing threats to large gatherings such as concerts, sporting events, or campaign rallies. The Secret Service is studying lessons from the war in Ukraine, where drones have been widely weaponized, to prepare for potential homeland threats. Curran emphasized the need for proactive planning, stating, “The second we're not [prepared], we're going to get caught flat-footed."
Agency defends apolitical stance. When questioned about whether political polarization contributes to the rise in threats, Curran and Quinn reiterated that the Secret Service operates as an apolitical organization, focused solely on protection. Quinn added that while any president faces threats from both sides of the aisle, modern societal pressures—including mental health issues and online radicalization—are key drivers of the current environment.