Secret Service agents are supposed to be a model of cool, calm, collected dignity. With their neatly pressed outfits, black sunglasses, and earpieces, they’re not only there to keep senior political figures safe, but to showcase the very pinnacle of American law enforcement.
All of which means that the Secret Service agent who blasted a cap into his own butt is probably feeling more pain from the humiliation than from his annihilated rear end.
The incident in question saw a Secret Service agent tasked with guarding former first lady Jill Biden last Friday suffer a “negligent discharge” into his posterior at Philadelphia International Airport. Official sources would only say that he’d suffered a “leg wound”. Journalist Susan Crabtree said her sources revealed the true story.
UPDATE: Additional new details about the junior @SecretService agent who shot himself last Friday morning during a movement at the Philly airport with Jill Biden: The agent left his phone behind in the SUV while escorting Jill Biden into the airport. He rushed back to get his… https://t.co/AAxUwZkMcZ pic.twitter.com/OTkUTG8GLe
— Susan Crabtree (@susancrabtree) March 30, 2026
The agent in question had only been on the Jill Biden detail for a week, and was traveling in the SUV behind hers. The convoy reached the airport and began to accompany Biden through the airport, only to realize he’d left his phone in the SUV. He rushed back to retrieve it, choosing to use the flashlight on his Glock handgun to illuminate the trunk of the car.
When he holstered the weapon, *BLAM*. As Crabtree confirms: “he shot himself – yes, right in the butt cheek”.
I’m sure his pride is more deeply wounded
Apparently Cheddar Bob is working Secret Service detail for Jill Biden….. pic.twitter.com/VnUETroDOx
— Joe Rambo (@RamboAndFrens) March 27, 2026
Crabtree also underlines that agent training says that under no circumstances should the Glock flashlight be used in anything other than a combat situation. The agent in question was taken to the hospital and has presumably now been discharged.
But while he may find sitting down uncomfortable for a couple of weeks, the damage to his reputation is likely to linger. Not to put too fine a point on it, but I doubt the Secret Service is overly happy with agents who accidentally discharge their firearms in public.
The Secret Service Office of Professional Responsibility is now reviewing the facts and circumstances of the butt-shot. They’ll examine whether protocols were violated, such as improper handling, failure to follow safety rules, or general complacency.
If Jill Biden had been present at the time, there may have been a risk of the agent being prosecuted for recklessness that endangered the public or protectees, but as this isn’t the case, we’d expect a demotion that falls short of actually kicking them out of the service altogether.
Previous cases involving negligent discharge have seen agents face reassignment, suspension, and mandatory additional training. And, let’s face it, anyone with this blunder on their permanent record is probably never going to get the call that (I assume) every Secret Service agent wants – guarding the president themselves.
Ultimately, this case should serve as a perennial reminder of the importance of gun safety. After all, if a highly-trained Secret Service agent can accidentally blow part of their butt off, I’m sure you could too.
So, always treat a loaded gun with respect, double-check whether the safety is on before holstering, do not keep your finger on the trigger while holstering and… maybe don’t use a handgun as a flashlight?
Published: Mar 31, 2026 06:20 am