The revered name “Secret Service” has taken on new meaning in the chaotic and largely obscured aftermath of a marginally unsuccessful assassination attempt on a 2024 Presidential candidate. Ongoing revelations of manpower shortages, procedural mistakes, and communication shortcomings have the earmarks of a conscious cover-up of bureaucratic incompetence. It’s no secret that this critical agency needs new leadership worthy of its many dedicated field personnel. Hair-breadth avoidance of a calamitous, world-shaking outcome should prompt bipartisan outrage and comprehensive change, especially in a context of identified backing of insurrectionists by foreign adversaries. Revelations from the Pennsylvania shooting episode should enhance our confidence in the dedication of front-line local police operating responsibly without coordinated guidance from the Secret Service. This fallibility demands full removal of any veil of secrecy. Phil Osifer