In an interview with the publication, Secret Service director Randolph “Tex” Alles said over 1,000 agents have already hit their federally mandated maximums for salary and overtime allowances, which were supposed to last for the entire year. The security agency has faced an unduly heavy workload in recent months, as agents are required to protect Trump, who has traveled nearly every weekend to his properties in Florida, New Jersey and Virginia.
The president’s four adult children also require protection during their travels across the U.S. and abroad, forcing the agency to stretch its services even further.
“The president has a large family, and our responsibility is required in law,” Alles said. “I can’t change that. I have no flexibility.”
Under Trump, the service currently deals with 42 White House protectees, 18 of whom are members of the president’s family, the director said. That’s up from 31 protectees during Barack Obama’s presidency.
Alles told the newspaper that the agency has become so strapped for cash in regards to compensation that he’s begun talking with key lawmakers to boost the combined salary and overpay caps for agents from $160,000 per year to $187,000 per year. Even if such an increase was approved, however, nearly 130 veteran agents wouldn’t be fully compensated for the hundreds of hours of work they’ve already put in.
“It’s clear that the Secret Service’s demands will continue to be higher than ever throughout the Trump administration,” said Jennifer Werner, spokeswoman for Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings (D). “We can’t expect the Secret Service to be able to recruit and keep the best of the best if they are not being paid for these increases [in overtime hours].”