The 2016 presidential election highlighted the wide political divide in the United States, and with the campaign of Donald Trump, it only got worse. With Trump now in the White House, at least one Secret Service agent is not that supportive of the new commander in chief.
Secret Service trouble
Donald Trump ran one of the most controversial campaigns in American history, and was considered a long shot to actually walk out a winner last November. As he gained steam and support in the early months of his candidacy, Trump used that momentum to win the Republican nomination, before pulling off the upset on Election Day over Hillary Clinton.
While Trump was able to rally enough supporters to the polls, the former host of "The Apprentice" caused massive backlash, both with private citizens and those working for the government. As reported by The Washington Examiner, and later The Hill, on January 24, a senior Secret Service agent is not standing by Trump's side.
EXCLUSIVE: Senior Secret Service agent says she would "take jail time" rather than "take a bullet" for Donald Trump https://t.co/7WWfkFi0Sf pic.twitter.com/76v6N7VGqx
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 24, 2017
Senior member of the United States Secret Service, Kerry O’Grady, has been critical of Donald Trump, and one of her previous posts on Facebook has now been released to the public.
Obtained by The Washington Examiner, O'Grady said she would rather serve "jail time" than be forced to "take a bullet" for the new commander in chief. A supporter of Hillary Clinton, O'Grady wrote in a Facebook post this past October, "I would take jail time over a bullet or an endorsement for what I believe to be disaster to this country and the strong and amazing women and minorities who reside here."
Secret Service agent wrote she wouldn't take a bullet for Trump https://t.co/kLPDqpNq90 pic.twitter.com/RXpP6qo0Jf
— The Hill (@thehill) January 24, 2017
Due to O'Grady being a federal employee, she is bound to the Hatch Act that prevents comments on social media that are used to promote personal and partisan political beliefs.
Despite this, O'Grady closed out her post by stating, "Hatch Act be damned. I am with Her," a reference to the Clinton campaign slogan. While speaking to The Washington Examiner, O'Grady appeared to walk back her previous social media post, telling the paper that she "firmly believe(s) in this job" and that sh is "proud to do it."
Next up
While it's unknown if Kerry O'Grady's job status will change moving forward, but it only confirms the current stress and divide currently taking place in Washington. Despite the backlash against him, Donald Trump is now the president following his Inauguration Day oath, and will be occupying the White House for at least the next four years.