A U.S. Secret Service agent assigned to former first lady Jill Biden shot himself in the leg at the Philadelphia airport on March 27, in what the agency is calling a negligent discharge.
The shooting happened just after 8:30 a.m. when the agent was on duty protecting Biden, although she wasn’t with him at the time of the incident, according to Secret Service spokesperson Nate Herring.
“There was no impact to [Biden’s] movement,” Herring told The Epoch Times in a statement.
“There were no reported injuries to any other individuals and the special agent is being evaluated at an area hospital in stable condition.”
The agent was handling a service weapon when the “negligent discharge” occurred, according to the agency. The term typically refers to the firing of a gun that is done unintentionally because of user recklessness, lack of caution, or failure to follow safety rules, according to federal law.
The Secret Service’s Office of Professional Responsibility will be reviewing the incident, according to Herring.
“We are grateful for our law enforcement and public safety partners who provided medical assistance,” he said.
Airport operations were not affected by the incident, according to Heather Redfern, public affairs manager for the city’s Department of Aviation.
The former first lady was in Philadelphia for a panel discussion on March 25 with Lori Shapiro, wife of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and other state officials in the state Capitol. They discussed women’s roles in equality and shared advice while celebrating women’s impact on America, according to the Philadelphia Enquirer.
She was also promoting her upcoming national tour for her book “View From The East Wing.”
Biden’s office did not return a request for comment about the incident.
Former presidents and first ladies get Secret Service protection for the remainder of their lives.
President Donald Trump said in March 2025 he planned to end the Secret Service protection assigned to the Bidens’ adult children.
Hunter Biden was in South Africa at the time with 18 agents assigned to his detail, while Ashley Biden had 13 agents assigned to her.
Trump also revoked former Vice President Kamala Harris’s protection in September. Former vice presidents are typically protected for six months after they leave office.
Before he left office, President Joe Biden signed an order that extended Harris’s protection until July 2026.
Friends Read Free
Copy
Facebook
Tweet
