Following a tumultuous period for the Secret Service, marked by two assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump during his recent presidential campaign, Trump has selected Sean Curran, the head of his personal security detail, to lead the agency. The announcement was made by Donald Trump Jr. on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, praising Curran as a "great patriot" who will "stop all the insanity."
Curran gained national attention for his courageous actions during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he was among the agents who shielded Trump from an assailant. The attack resulted in injuries to Trump's ear and the death of two bystanders, firefighter Corey Comperatore, 50, and two others injured, David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74. Images from the event show Curran next to Trump as the then-candidate returned to his feet, blood visible on his face.
Former President Trump, amidst a campaign rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, PA, is rushed off stage after an incident. Secret Service Agent Sean Curran is seen to his right. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Sean Curran (back left) accompanies President-elect Trump at UFC 309 in New York City on November 16, 2024. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Sean Curran is seen behind President-elect Trump during a rally at Madison Square Garden. (FOX 5 New York)
At former President Carter's funeral on January 9, 2025, former President Obama converses with President-elect Trump, while Secret Service Agent Sean Curran (blue tie) sits in the background. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)
President-elect Trump and Melania Trump arrive at the U.S. Capitol on January 8, 2025. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Bill Gage, a former Secret Service agent who served under Presidents Bush and Obama, highlighted the bond between Trump and Curran, forged in the crucible of the Pennsylvania incident. Gage commended Curran and the agents assigned to Trump for their professional response, attributing any security lapses to the advance team. Despite maintaining a low profile, Curran's presence at Trump's side has not gone unnoticed, even garnering him attention on social media platforms like TikTok.
Curran's appointment follows the resignation of former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who stepped down amidst intense scrutiny of the agency after the assassination attempt in Butler and a subsequent second attempt in September. Ronald Rowe Jr. served as acting director in the interim.
