Here’s what has been proposed.
Growing concerns over President Donald Trump’s security are sparking calls for a dramatic overhaul of the U.S. Secret Service after yet another alarming threat against the president.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is now pushing legislation that would remove the Secret Service from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and place the agency directly under White House control — a move supporters say would strengthen protection for America’s commander-in-chief and cut through layers of Washington bureaucracy.
The proposal comes after heightened scrutiny surrounding the Secret Service following multiple security scares involving Trump, including a recent incident in April that once again raised serious questions about presidential safety.
Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz and South Carolina Rep. Russell Fry introduced the bill Thursday, arguing that the current structure inside DHS has slowed decision-making and weakened the agency’s ability to respond quickly to growing threats.
Supporters of the legislation believe the Secret Service has become buried under government red tape, making it harder for agents to secure the personnel, funding, and operational support needed to protect top U.S. officials.
Moskowitz said his concerns deepened after serving on the congressional task force investigating the Butler, Pennsylvania security incident involving Trump.
After speaking directly with Secret Service personnel, Moskowitz said he realized the agency was facing many of the same problems that have plagued other DHS divisions for years.
“Because they were such a small agency, they couldn’t get the resources they needed,” Moskowitz explained during an interview discussing the reform effort.
The legislation would make the Secret Service directly accountable to the president while streamlining the agency’s leadership structure and operational authority.
Republican Rep. Russell Fry said the measure is about ensuring agents can stay fully focused on protecting national leaders during a time of rising political tension across the country.
“In a time where political attacks are becoming increasingly rampant, the Secret Service should be focused solely on protecting America’s leaders,” Fry said.
The proposal is part of a much larger effort to overhaul DHS operations.
Under the broader reform package, FEMA would become an independent cabinet-level agency, while the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) would move under the Department of Transportation.
Lawmakers backing the reforms argue that separating these agencies from DHS would improve efficiency, reduce bureaucratic delays, and protect essential services from future political funding battles in Washington.
The debate intensified after DHS recently endured a lengthy funding lapse that created major disruptions at airports across the country.
Reports indicated that more than 1,000 TSA workers left during the shutdown period, contributing to long security lines, airport delays, and frustration for travelers nationwide.
Moskowitz argued that aviation security would function more effectively if TSA and the Federal Aviation Administration were housed under the same department.
“We should put things under one roof,” Moskowitz said while discussing the need for better coordination in transportation security.
The reform package is also drawing bipartisan support from other lawmakers, including Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds and Tennessee Republican Rep. Tim Burchett.
Meanwhile, the renewed focus on presidential protection comes as political tensions remain high heading into another major election cycle, with many Americans increasingly concerned about security threats facing public officials.
The legislation is expected to spark significant debate in Congress as lawmakers weigh whether major structural reforms are needed to better protect America’s leaders and improve the performance of key federal agencies.
