Low Secret Service morale could have ‘dire consequences,’ says agency director

WASHINGTON — The acting director of the Secret Service is warning lawmakers of “potentially dire consequences” from lowered morale and operational security at the agency.

Joseph Clancy offered the sobering assessment in written testimony presented to the House Judiciary Committee ahead of a hearing Wednesday.

Clancy was making his first appearance on Capitol Hill since his appointment last month to lead the embattled agency. The Secret Service has suffered a string of embarrassments, including a fence jumper who made it into the White House, which led to the resignation of its previous director.

Clancy acknowledged that the agency has fallen short of its goal of perfection. He said that being in the spotlight has had detrimental effects on employee morale and operational security, “both with potentially dire consequences.”