US Secret Service Deputy Director Resigns

Matthew C. Quinn, the Deputy Director of the United States Secret Service (USSS), has announced his resignation in an internal email to staff. He also shared this significant news on his social media account, X, on Friday.

Quinn indicated in his post that he had been planning his departure with Director Curran for some time. He expressed pride in the accomplishments of the USSS personnel.

Having returned to the agency in May 2025 after a 23-year career, Quinn’s resignation follows concerns about potential conflicts of interest linked to the procurement of counter-drone technology. Sources suggest this was a key reason for his decision.

In an interview with NewsNation, Quinn said he was stepping down to spend more time with family after holding the position for 18 months.

Quinn previously served as the Deputy Assistant Director for the Office of Protective Operations until his retirement in 2021. He briefly entered the private defense sector before being reappointed to the leadership team by Director Sean M. Curran. His role at Fortem, a company specializing in drone interception technology, raised eyebrows among agency staff, particularly regarding his involvement in decisions around counter-drone systems.

There were also reports of dissatisfaction among some current and former agents. After commenting in a CBS News “60 Minutes” interview that the USSS was “not prepared for an attack” involving drone swarms, he faced criticism.

Furthermore, issues highlighted in internal reports included a concerning incident where the Secret Service’s Specialized Rifle Unit mistakenly shot down one of its own surveillance drones due to a failure in communication protocols about operational airspace.

Quinn’s resignation signifies another leadership shift for the agency, which is currently working on structural reforms intended to improve operational readiness, technology procurement, and communication within presidential protection teams.