Source: Global Times
[Global Times Special Correspondent in the United States Yingchen Global Times Special Correspondent Liu Haoran Zhen Xiang] On the 24th, US President Biden appointed former "bodyguard" Kimberly Zittle as director of the US Secret Service. CNN (CNN) reported on the 25th that Zittle will become the second female director in the history of the US Secret Service. The last "female hero" to take up this important position was Julia Pierce appointed during the administration of Obama. In American movies, Secret Service agents are often the heroic image of a "president" who saves the "president" from danger. But in recent years, the US Secret Service has been plagued by scandals and its image is much worse than before. On the other hand, the polarization of the United States is intensifying and the political struggle is becoming increasingly sharp. In this context, what will Zittle perform?
Take office at a critical moment
Biden praised Zittle for his outstanding leadership in his appointment statement. Biden said that the Secret Service is at a "critical moment" now, and Zittle is the best candidate to lead this agency. Biden also mentioned that the two were actually "old acquaintances": Zittle was responsible for his security work when he was vice president, and at that time he trusted her judgment and suggestions very much. Biden also emphasized, "I fully trust Zittle and look forward to working with her."
US media believes that the "critical moment" in Biden means something. The current Secret Service Director Murray was involved in the "Capital Hill riot" incident before leaving office. He was forced to " delay retirement " because of congressional inquiries. This incident also made the outside world full of doubts about the Secret Service.
Five photos on the desk
Zitel graduated from the University of Eastern Illinois in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in sociology. Zittle had already been determined to pursue a challenging career before graduating from college. After full preparation, she got her wish and entered the US Secret Service. At that time, law enforcement and security departments across the United States were dominated by men. To cheer herself up, Zittle placed photos of five seniors on his desk - all five of them were the first women to enter the Secret Service. Zittle once said in an interview: "I used them to inspire myself. They created opportunities for me to enter the Secret Service, and I can help others grow in the future."
Zittle is also the first assistant director in the history of the US Secret Service, leading the Secret Service's Protection Operations Department - a "heavyweight" department that provides personal protection for U.S. leaders and other politicians. According to the official website of the White House, when he was assistant director, Zittle not only had $133 million in budget funds, but also could dispatch ten operation departments of the Secret Service and the human resources and resources of the technical and security departments in daily life.
After working for the Secret Service for 27 years, Zittle left the Secret Service to work for Pepsi North America. In an interview with the media, she said that the Secret Service's work history has made her at ease in dealing with complex situations. She said: "I like to deal with diversified work and are also good at dealing with chaotic situations."
U.S. Secret Service, a sensitive department
In many people's impression, the US Secret Service is an organization responsible for security. In fact, in addition to protecting the safety of US leaders, the Secret Service is also responsible for ensuring the financial security of the United States. When the US Secret Service was established in 1865, its main responsibility was to crack down on the rampant crime of counterfeit money. Therefore, for a long time, the Secret Service was a subordinate department of the U.S. Treasury Department and was not transferred to the Department of Homeland Security until 2003. In terms of security responsibilities, the US Secret Service's protection targets include the US president and vice president and the elected president and vice president and their family, the former US president and his spouse and minor children, the main president and his spouse and his spouse, as well as visiting foreign heads of state and government and other political leaders. In terms of ensuring financial security, the US Secret Service is responsible for combating various financial crimes and cyber crimes . For example, during the COVID-19 epidemic, many illegal people in the United States used network vulnerabilities to defraud government relief funds. At that time, the Secret Service was responsible for the relevant investigation.
It is reported that as the top security law enforcement department in the United States, the agency's talent selection is particularly strict. In 2011, 15,600 people competed to start jobs, but the admission rate is less than 1%. However, in recent years, scandals such as recruiting prostitution by Secret Service agents and driving drunk have emerged one after another. Not only that, Secret Service staff are also suspected of deleting several text messages during the Capitol Hill riot, and are still under investigation by Congress. "New York Times " said that although recent directors have expressed their intention to start reforms, they have not achieved results. For the incoming Zittle, how to regain the scandal-ridden US Secret Service's public trust is his current problem.
