LAUREN TAYLOR: THE SECRET SERVICE HAS BEEN UNDER A MICROSCOPE SINCE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FORMER PRESIDENT DONLD TRUMP, WAS SHOT AT A CAMPAIGN RALLY IN BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA LAST MONTH.

NOW THE AGENCY HAS CONFIRMED IT IS INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS THAT A FEMALE SECRET SERVICE AGENT LEFT HER POST TO BREASTFEED DURING A TRUMP CAMPAIGN EVENT IN NORTH CAROLINA — RAISING SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT SECURITY PROTOCOLS.

THE ALLEGED INCIDENT OCCURRED AS THE SITE AGENT WAS CONDUCTING A FINAL SWEEP, DISCOVERING THE AGENT BREASTFEEDING IN A ROOM DESIGNATED FOR ESSENTIAL SECRET SERVICE WORK, POTENTIALLY COMPROMISING EMERGENCY RESPONSE CAPABILITIES.

THE AGENT IN QUESTION ALSO ALLEGEDLY BROUGHT TWO FAMILY MEMBERS INTO THE RESTRICTED AREA, ESCORTED BY EVENT STAFF LACKING PROPER SECURITY CLEARANCE, BYPASSING ESTABLISHED CHECKPOINTS.

THE SECRET SERVICE SAYS IT HAS LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ALLEGATIONS.

THE AGENCY’S OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES HAVE COME UNDER INCREASED SCRUTINY.

DESPITE A BUDGET INCREASE TO $3 BILLION DOLLARS – THE SECRET SERVICE CONTINUES TO GRAPPLE WITH UNDERSTAFFING ISSUES, POTENTIALLY COMPROMISING ITS ABILITY TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE PROTECTION.

FOLLOWING THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION, REPORTS SURFACED THAT AGENCY OFFICIALS HAD REPEATEDLY REJECTED PREVIOUS REQUESTS FROM THE TRUMP SECURITY TEAM FOR MORE AGENTS AND GEAR.

NOW, ACCORDING TO THE NEW YORK TIMES, SOME SECRET SERVICE AGENTS HAVE BEEN REASSIGNED FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN’S TEAM TO TRUMP’S PROTECTIVE TEAM CITING THREATS AGAINST TRUMP AND A LACK OF TRAVEL FOR BIDEN.

BOTH THE WHITE HOUSE AND TRUMP’S CAMPAIGN HAVE NOT COMMENTED ON THE MATTER.

FOR SAN, I’M LT…