High-Ranking Secret Service Official Retires After Trump Assassination Attempt

Michael Plati retires from the U.S. Secret Service after 27 years in the wake of a critical security lapse during an attempted assassination of Donald Trump.

At a Glance

• Michael Plati, the U.S. Secret Service official overseeing protective operations, is retiring this week.
• Plati’s retirement marks the second high-ranking official to leave the agency recently.
• His departure follows the aftermath of an assassination attempt on Donald Trump in July.
• The agency is under increased scrutiny and pressure as the 2024 election approaches.

Michael Plati, Assistant Director of the Office of Protective Operations for the U.S. Secret Service, will retire this Friday after 27 years of service. Plati’s resignation comes less than two months after a security breach that led to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Although the Secret Service attributed Plati’s departure to personal reasons, sources involved in the internal probe suggest the incident influenced his decision.

Plati had reportedly discussed his retirement with his family for over a year. According to a Secret Service spokesperson, “Assistant Director Plati was not asked to resign or retire by anyone.” The spokesperson further emphasized that Plati’s decision was made prior to the Democratic National Convention.

Further Departures and Reassignments

Plati’s retirement marks the second recent high-profile exit from the Secret Service. Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned in July following criticism over security deficiencies that led to the Trump assassination attempt.

Ronald Rowe, the acting Director, awaits the results of internal investigations before implementing further personnel changes. In the wake of the July 13 incident, several personnel have been reassigned to administrative duties and ordered to work from home.