The president’s bodyguards should be apolitical. But this goes beyond politics.
Now a Secret Service employee was put on leave after violent history is discovered.
Secret Service Agent Placed on Leave for Inflammatory Post About Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
The U.S. Secret Service placed employee Anthony Pough on administrative leave following a controversial Facebook post about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot in the neck on September 10, during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University.
Pough’s post, first reported by RealClearPolitics, criticized those mourning Kirk, stating, “If you are Mourning [sic] this guy .. delete me. He spewed hate and racism on his show,” and referenced a clip where Kirk called Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, former Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, and others “affirmative action picks” who “weren’t smart enough to get in on their own.”
Pough also suggested attention should focus on a concurrent school shooting in Evergreen, Colorado, where a 16-year-old injured two students, adding, “At the end of the day, you answer to GOD and speak things into existence. You can only circumvent karma, she doesnt [sic] leave.”
The Secret Service, responding to backlash within its ranks, stated, “The US Secret Service will not tolerate any behavior which violates our code of conduct. We are aware of the employee’s social media post from today, and the individual has been placed on administrative leave as we investigate the matter.”
Sources within the agency, cited by RealClearPolitics, expressed concern over Pough’s sentiments, noting his role in protecting political figures, including President Donald Trump, who frequently appeared with Kirk. Reports indicate Pough, in Phase 2 of his career and not regularly assigned to Trump’s detail, now faces potential termination.
Context of Kirk’s Assassination and Public Reaction
Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent Trump ally, was k*lled during a Q&A session on his “American Comeback Tour.” The shooting, labeled a “political assassination” by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, prompted bipartisan condolences, with figures like former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama condemning the act.
Trump announced Kirk would posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing his influence among young conservatives. The FBI continues its manhunt for the suspect, described as wearing dark clothing and Converse shoes, with video evidence showing their escape into a wooded area after firing from a rooftop.
Pough’s post was one of several controversial reactions to Kirk’s death. Former MSNBC contributor Matthew Dowd was fired after suggesting Kirk’s rhetoric contributed to a hateful environment, stating, “Hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which lead to hateful actions.”
Other public employees, including a Marine Corps recruiter, a Toledo Fire Department battalion chief, and educators in Massachusetts and Florida, faced suspensions or investigations for similar posts mocking Kirk’s death. The Carolina Panthers also terminated communications coordinator Charlie Rock for sharing a rap song referencing the assassination. These incidents have fueled debates about free speech, professional conduct, and the politicization of tragedy.
Agency Scrutiny
The Secret Service has faced intense scrutiny over recent security lapses, including two 2024 assassination attempts on Trump—one in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet grazed his ear—and an undetected firearm incident at Trump National Golf Club in August 2025.
Pough’s history of anti-Trump posts, including a March 2025 comment accusing the administration of enabling racism by targeting “anti-woke” and anti-DEI policies, has raised questions about impartiality within the agency.
Critics argue such sentiments could compromise protective duties, while supporters of Pough’s free speech rights note he was not on Trump’s detail. The investigation into Pough’s conduct will likely examine whether his views violate Secret Service standards, particularly given Kirk’s close ties to Trump.
