A U.S. Secret Service agent accompanies a presidential motorcade.

A U.S. Secret Service agent accompanies a presidential motorcade.

We see them surrounding the president, mostly men in dark suits wearing ear pieces and sunglasses. These secret service agents are tasked with protecting the most powerful people in the country.

But Carol Leonnig, Pulitzer-Prize winning reporter at the Washington Post, says the agency may no longer be up to the job. In a new book titled, “Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service,” Leonnig traces the history of the agency from its founding in 1865, to its transformation into an elite, highly trained unit after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, to the scandals and missteps of the Obama and Trump administrations.

Diane talked with Leonnig about the shortcomings of the agency, and what reforms are needed to improve it.

Guests

  • Carol Leonnig National investigative reporter focused on the White House and government accountability
Most Recent Shows

Donald Trump’s Money Troubles

Thursday, Mar 21 2024Donald Trump faces a cash crunch as he struggles to pay more than half a billion dollars in legal fines. Edward Luce is U.S. editor and columnist for The Financial Times. He joins Diane to break down Trump's money problems and what these penalties could mean for him and his candidacy.

How Old Is Too Old? Age And The 2024 Election

Thursday, Mar 14 2024Age has become a central issue in the presidential election. With the two oldest candidates in history running for the office, it should be, according to aging expert Tracey Gendron. But, she warns, we're talking about it all wrong.

The Human Cost Of The War In Gaza

Thursday, Feb 29 2024Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib is a U-S citizen from Gaza and a Middle East analyst. He has lost 31 family members in the conflict so far. He joins Diane to talk about the current conditions in Gaza and what the global community must do to address them.