Secret Service agents trained at Tyler Perry's mock White House in Atlanta in 2023. This unusual choice stemmed from the agency's funding shortfalls and lack of proper facilities.
The revelation surfaced on The New York Times podcast, "The Daily." Investigative reporter Eric Lipton highlighted the agency's inadequate training resources. This came in light of an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump on July 13 at a rally in Pennsylvania.
"The Secret Service is so short on proper training facilities that they actually sent, on several occasions, their personnel down to the Atlanta area," Lipton explained. He emphasized the absurdity of relying on Perry's replica for training. "It's hard to believe, but that's what the Secret Service has been left with as its options for training its people."
Lipton also mentioned the agency's unconventional training methods. They have even used a retired 1960s airplane's front half for Air Force One protection training.
Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the Secret Service, responded to these concerns. He noted that a protective mission panel recommended building a replica White House back in 2014. "Since the actual White House serves as a secure office complex… the agency is limited in how and when personnel can train on-site," he said.
In 2023, Guglielmi revealed, the agency worked with Perry's team to assess the Atlanta replica for training scenarios. "We also conducted a scenario-based training exercise at that facility," he added. This was aimed at preparing future special agents for emergencies.
Perry's replica White House sits on a 330-acre lot, part of the old Fort McPherson Army base. "Over the past year, we have worked closely with Congress and the Department of Homeland Security to advance the construction planning of the White House Defense Training Facility," Guglielmi stated.
Congress allocated over $3 billion to the Secret Service last year. Yet, staffing numbers have dropped slightly since 2021. Meanwhile, the number of protectees has nearly doubled since 2015.
As the assassination attempt unfolded, the Secret Service was also stretched thin. They were providing security for major events, including the NATO Summit and both national conventions.
Lipton pointed out the ongoing need for a proper training facility. "It's been over a decade, and still the money has not been appropriated to build this training facility at their site in Maryland," he lamented.
The attack on Trump highlighted the urgency for better training. Gunman Thomas Crooks fired eight rounds, grazing Trump's ear, and fatally wounding a rally attendee. "There are few jobs anywhere where you have to be perfect," Lipton stressed. "Any imperfection… means, potentially, the life of the president."
After the assassination attempt, former Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned. Ronald Rowe stepped in as Acting Director shortly after the incident.
On Sept. 20, the House of Representatives passed a bill to address the Secret Service's needs. "We thank Congress for addressing some of the U.S. Secret Service’s most immediate needs," Rowe said in a statement. He expressed hope for more funding to enhance security measures moving forward.