This was unexpected.
The U.S. Secret Service has placed one of its employees on administrative leave after he posted a shocking and inflammatory message on social media mocking conservatives who are mourning the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
The backlash erupted less than a day after Kirk, a prominent conservative figure and strong supporter of President Trump, was tragically killed by a sniper while speaking at his American Comeback Tour event at Utah Valley University.
This disturbing situation has sparked national outrage and raised serious questions about bias and misconduct inside the very agency tasked with protecting the President of the United States and other high-profile figures.
Secret Service Employee’s Disgraceful Attack
The Secret Service employee, identified as Anthony Pough, took to Facebook Thursday to attack Charlie Kirk’s legacy just hours after his tragic death.
Pough shared a video clip of Kirk criticizing affirmative action policies, where Kirk called out Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and former Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) as “affirmative action picks” who “weren’t smart enough to get in on their own.”
Instead of showing respect during a time of national mourning, Pough wrote:
“If you’re grieving over this man, unfriend me. His show was filled with hate and racist rhetoric.”
Pough then attempted to shift sympathy away from Kirk’s murder, referencing a recent Colorado school shooting by adding:
“Especially when we should be mourning the innocent children killed in Colorado.”
The post remained online for hours before it was reported, outraging fellow agents and conservative Americans who saw it as proof of deep political bias within the agency.
Secret Service Responds Under Pressure
Facing widespread backlash, the Secret Service quickly released a statement to the press:
“The U.S. Secret Service does not condone actions that go against our code of conduct. We are aware of the employee’s social media post and have placed them on administrative leave pending an investigation.”
While Pough has been sidelined, many conservatives are demanding a full investigation, arguing that politically motivated employees cannot be trusted to protect President Trump or other conservative leaders.
Charlie Kirk’s Final Moments
Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck during a live question-and-answer session at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
Despite being rushed to the hospital, the 31-year-old conservative icon tragically succumbed to his injuries.
Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika, and their two young children.
In a powerful tribute, President Trump announced Thursday that Kirk will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to recognize his tireless work defending free speech, conservative values, and the American dream.
Pough’s History of Anti-Trump, Anti-Conservative Rants
This isn’t the first time Pough has attacked conservatives online.
Earlier this year, he mocked President Trump’s policies and dismissed concerns about “woke” culture, writing:
“Now prejudice holds the reins in your agenda. You’re anti-woke, and against DEI.”
In another post, he ridiculed Trump’s executive orders aimed at rooting out anti-American content from federally funded institutions like the Smithsonian.
These posts now raise questions about how deep political bias runs inside the Secret Service, especially at a time when Trump himself has faced two recent assassination attempts.
Growing Scrutiny of Secret Service Failures
The Secret Service has been under intense scrutiny for security failures in recent months:
- Last month, a visitor smuggled a loaded Glock into Trump National Golf Club Washington D.C. completely undetected.
- Last year, the agency faced global criticism after two assassination attempts on President Trump, including the Butler, Pennsylvania rally, where a bullet grazed Trump’s ear, coming within a quarter-inch of killing him.
With these repeated failures, critics are demanding major leadership changes within the Secret Service to restore public trust and ensure Trump’s safety.
Attacks on Kirk Continue Even After His Death
Pough isn’t the only one taking swipes at Kirk’s memory.
Former MSNBC contributor Matthew Dowd sparked outrage when he suggested Kirk’s own words somehow contributed to his death, calling him “a controversial figure… pushing hate speech.”
The public backlash was so fierce that MSNBC fired Dowd shortly after his comments.
Conservatives are calling these attacks proof that the left’s hatred of free speech and conservative voices has reached dangerous new levels.
The Bigger Picture
Charlie Kirk’s assassination has united conservatives and independents in grief, but it has also exposed deep divisions within America’s most critical institutions.
From the Secret Service’s failure to prevent recent attacks to its own employees openly mocking conservatives, many Americans are now questioning who they can trust to protect the nation’s leaders.
As President Trump prepares to honor Charlie Kirk with the Medal of Freedom, conservatives are demanding accountability — and action — to prevent another tragedy.
Why This Matters
- Protecting President Trump: With two assassination attempts already, the need for unbiased and professional security has never been greater.
- Free Speech Under Attack: Charlie Kirk’s murder is a chilling reminder of the dangers facing conservative voices in America.
- Holding Agencies Accountable: Taxpayer-funded agencies like the Secret Service must remain politically neutral or risk losing public trust entirely.
Bottom Line:
Charlie Kirk’s legacy will live on through the movement he built and the countless lives he inspired. But unless the Secret Service addresses these serious internal problems, America’s leaders — including President Trump — remain at grave risk.
