New whistleblower records have surfaced, alleging that the Secret Service has failed to provide funding for Homeland Security “jump teams” and their travel to support security efforts on the campaign trail leading up to the November election. According to documents obtained by Sen. Chuck Grassley and his oversight team, an email sent on Sept. 26 with the subject line “Jump Team – Out of Money” highlighted the funding shortages.
The Department of Homeland Security’s investigation unit jump team plays a crucial role in connecting mission support with front-line security efforts. These jump team members help address immediate issues, allocate funding, and develop effective solutions to support security operations. Despite the deployment of jump teams following two separate assassination attempts against former President Trump, concerns about unpreparedness and mismanagement within the DHS and Secret Service persist.
Emails provided to Grassley’s office through legally protected whistleblower disclosures revealed alarming details about the dire financial situation. An email on Sept. 9 instructed HSI agents not to submit or resubmit Jump Team authorizations due to the lack of funds, with only $33 available at the time. Subsequent emails on Sept. 26 indicated that no additional money would be allocated for the Jump Team that year, leaving agents in a precarious position.
Agents were informed not to use the usual methods of expensing items and were provided with alternative instructions in case additional funds miraculously became available. Grassley expressed deep concerns about the Secret Service’s failure to transfer sufficient funds to HSI for agent reimbursements, raising questions about the agency’s ability to manage federal resources effectively.
The senator highlighted that agents had been forced to cover expenses that the agency could not pay for, potentially violating the Antideficiency Act. Reimbursements to agents were being delayed, leaving employees uncertain about their pay. Grassley’s letter to top DHS and Secret Service officials called for transparency and accountability regarding the financial management of HSI and its jump teams.
Further revelations from whistleblower disclosures indicated that in some instances, HSI agents had to pay for their own travel expenses, including flights, food, rental cars, and accommodations, due to delayed reimbursements from the Secret Service. Grassley requested additional information and documentation from the department and agencies to shed light on the financial challenges facing HSI and its operations.
As of now, neither the Secret Service nor Homeland Security has provided a comment on these allegations. Grassley’s efforts to uncover the truth behind the funding shortages and payment delays facing the Secret Service and HSI underscore the importance of ensuring financial accountability and support for critical security operations. The implications of these funding issues on national security and the effectiveness of security efforts remain a pressing concern that demands attention and resolution.
