A Secret Service agent entrusted with safeguarding former President Barack Obama was dismissed in 2022 due to severe protocol violations that came to light in a self-published memoir.
The New York Post reported that the agent breached operational norms by introducing his lover to the Obama residence in Hawaii and sharing sensitive information, resulting in his termination.
The revealing incident took place while the Obamas were absent from their Hawaiian property.
The agent, identified as “Dale” in the memoir by his ex-girlfriend Koryeah Dwanyen, reportedly invited her to the beachfront estate during his assignment. This disclosure has raised questions about security lapses within the Secret Service.
Dwanyen’s memoir, "Undercover Heartbreak: a Memoir of Trust and Trauma," was released on October 28, 2024. It describes how "Dale" sent her photographs of the residence and suggested an unauthorized tour inside the mansion. The memoir also details the agent's inappropriate proposal of a sexual encounter in a bathroom belonging to former First Lady Michelle Obama.
The U.S. Secret Service immediately responded to this breach when it became known on November 6, 2022.
A spokesperson confirmed that the agent had escorted an individual lacking authorized access into a high-profile protectee's residence without necessary permissions. The agent faced immediate suspension followed by dismissal after a comprehensive investigation.
The incident highlighted the significant undermining of trust and standards within the Secret Service. Although the Obamas were not present at the time, the agent's actions constituted a serious violation of agency protocols and potentially endangered security.
Dwanyen stated that she had met the agent while vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard, another location where he provided protection for the Obamas. Throughout their relationship, Dwanyen believed the agent's claim of being divorced, though it later emerged that he was still married.
She eventually alerted the agent's superior to the potential security risks he posed. Her concerns led to a meeting with other Secret Service officials, resulting in a full inquiry into the agent’s conduct.
Beyond just physical access, Dwanyen's account illuminated another layer of security lapses. She reported having been shown confidential details and visuals, granting her knowledge of sensitive information about high-profile figures.
Photos reportedly shared with her featured properties of celebrities like Alicia Keys and Steven Spielberg, and critical insights regarding prominent individuals involved in politics and entertainment were allegedly disclosed.
The agent's divulgence included specific information related to then-Vice President Mike Pence during Trump's presidency. Alarmingly, Dwanyen recounted specific schedules and operational details pertaining to the Obama family. This included Michelle Obama's fitness regimes and meeting arrangements with her personal trainers, among other things.
This incident, while isolated, comes against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny of the Secret Service's handling of their duties. The agency had faced criticism earlier in 2024 due to a shooting incident during a Trump campaign event in Pennsylvania, illustrating wider concerns about its operational integrity.
The agency expressed that despite the absence of the Obamas during the episode in Hawaii, the trust placed in its members had been violated.
The unauthorized actions by the agent and his subsequent breach of protocol sparked internal reviews and reforms regarding protocol enforcement and personnel integrity.
While the fallout from Dwanyen’s revelations underscores specific failures, it also acts as a catalyst for evaluating and tightening security measures surrounding public figures served by the Secret Service.
The Secret Service spokesperson reiterated the importance of maintaining high standards of confidentiality and security in service.
The breach not only impacted the agent's career but also pushed the agency to reassess operational protocols and reinforce the critical importance of trust and adherence to regulations among its agents.
Dwanyen's narrative throughout the memoir shed light on vulnerabilities that could potentially endanger not just those the agency serves but its own operatives and infrastructure. The story serves as a reminder of the essential balance required between protection duties and personal conduct within such a high-stakes role.
