An agency official confirmed Wednesday night that Vice President Kamala Harris was involved in a motorcade mishap on Monday that was initially reported to Secret Service authorities as a “mechanical issue.”
Anthony Guglielmi, the spokesperson, claimed that the collision happened when the automobile carrying Harris overcorrected and struck a kerb.
Guglielmi reported that a motorcade car “had a small overcorrection and impacted a kerb during a protective manoeuvre on Monday.” “The motorcade continued to its destination after the protectee [Harris] was moved to a backup vehicle. No one suffered any injuries.
Radio communication surrounding the event first suggested that a mechanical issue had happened, according to Guglielmi, who said it was reported to agency leaders by staff members supporting the motorcade.
The vehicle hit a curb, he added, and the leadership was orally updated with this information after the protective movement was finished.
According to a person with knowledge of the situation, Harris was travelling in her motorcade to work at the White House when the car she was in hit a high curb with its rear wheel and became inoperable.
According to the source, a paused motorcade is regarded as a cause for concern and is “a big no-no for us.” Harris was swiftly transferred to the replacement vehicle. According to the source, her prior vehicle had been moving at a rapid pace down city streets, possibly up to 50 mph.
The medical office examined Harris to be sure she was okay as soon as the motorcade got to the White House.
Kirsten Allen, Harris’ press secretary, verified the event on Wednesday.
Allen issued a statement saying, “The Vice President received no injuries and appreciates the prompt reaction by her USSS detail to get her to the White House safely.”
The Secret Service’s misunderstanding comes as the organization is already facing fire for how it has handled internal communications in the past.
The agency has been under fire for allegedly deleting cellphone conversations related to the Capitol violence on January 6 of last year. Senior Secret Service officials seized 24 agents’ smartphones after the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general opened an investigation in order to turn them over to the watchdog.
After the motorcade incident, Guglielmi stated on Wednesday that there will be no disciplinary punishment.
“We take pride in the particulars. They handled this situation just how they should have, “He spoke
When asked about prior incidents that made headlines about the Secret Service, Guglielmi responded, “This is not a misconduct issue at all.
