Secret Service director tells senior officials to leave their posts

Four top officials at the Secret Service have been asked to leave their jobs. 

“Based on the Independent Panel review, and my own assessments, I will be implementing leadership changes in the Secret Service management team,” Acting Director Joseph Clancy said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Washington Post first reported the news.

{mosads}Clancy told the officials in charge of the agency’s four core functions that they should resign or retire from their posts, or seek positions elsewhere in the Department of Homeland Security, according to the Post. A fifth official had previously decided to retire.

The departures will leave the Secret Service with significantly thinner ranks in upper management, the Post reported.

“Change is necessary to gain a fresh perspective on how we conduct business,” Clancy added. “I am certain any of our senior executives will be productive and valued assets either in other positions at the Secret Service or the department.”

Recent presidential protection failures and allegations of mismanagement have bruised the once-flawless public perception of the agency.

In September, a man carrying a knife jumped the White House fence and made it into the building. That incident — compounded by revelations of other security failings — caused then-Director Julia Pierson to resign.

A report later found that the agency suffered from poor management that hurt staff morale.

The departing officials, according to the Post, are Dale Pupillo, who heads protective services, Paul Morrissey, who supervises investigations, Mark Copanzzi, who is in charge of the agency’s technology, and public affairs chief Jane Murphy. All four are assistant directors.

Justin Sink contributed reporting.

This story was updated at 6:34 p.m.