GAO urges Secret Service to tighten policy documentation and update 1991 MOU

The Government Accountability Office's latest report recommends that the Secret Service revise its protection policies to require documentation of the rationale for not updating after incidents, assign specific responsibility for timely policy reviews, and that the Secret Service and the Department of State update their 1991 memorandum of understanding. The recommendations apply to the Secret Service and the State Department.

From fiscal year 2015 through fiscal year 2025, the Secret Service's budget increased while the number of protectees fluctuated. During that period, the agency recorded 83 security incidents and updated its protection policies in response to 25 of them. GAO found that personnel are not required to document why an incident does not merit a policy change, and that eight of 22 protection policies have not been reviewed or updated within the mandated four-year window. The joint security memorandum with the Diplomatic Security Service has not been revised since 1991, despite evolving threats such as civilian drones, highlighted by the July 2024 drone-assisted assassination attempt on former President Trump and the alleged April 2026 attempt at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

GAO's four recommendations are: (1) require personnel to document their rationale when an incident does not trigger a policy change; (2) assign responsibility to specific positions for reviewing and updating policies within required time frames; (3) have the Secret Service and the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security review and update the 1991 memorandum; and (4) direct the Secretary of State to ensure the memorandum's revision. All four recommendations are listed as open.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service, and the Department of State have both concurred with the recommendations. GAO notes that implementing the changes would provide clearer accountability and enable the agencies to incorporate emerging techniques, such as counter-drone measures, into advance planning for protectees.

The report underscores the need for consistent policy updates to address evolving threats and to ensure the safety of the President, Vice President, visiting foreign dignitaries, and other protected individuals.