News

Secret Service Erased Text Messages On Two Days Spanning Capitol Attack, Watchdog Reports

The Secret Service erased text messages from January 5 and January 6, 2021, according to a letter sent to the House select committee investigating the Capitol attack from a Homeland Security watchdog.

“First, the Department notified us that many US Secret Service text messages from January 5 and 6, 2021, were erased as part of a device-replacement program. The USSS erased those text messages after OIG requested records of electronic communications from the USSS, as part of our evaluation of events at the Capitol on January 6,” wrote Homeland Security Inspector Gen. Joseph Cuffari in the letter that was initially sent to the House and Senate Homeland Security Committees.

The Secret Service disputed the watchdog’s claims.

“The insinuation that the Secret Service maliciously deleted text messages following a request is false,” Anthony Guglielmi, who serves as chief of communications for the Secret Service, said in a statement. “In fact, the Secret Service has been fully cooperating with the OIG in every respect – whether it be interviews, documents, emails, or texts.”

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

He added that some messages had been lost as the Secret Service replaced certain devices, but that was after the watchdog had requested records of the electronic communications.

“DHS OIG requested electronic communications for the first time on Feb. 26, 2021, after the migration was well underway,” Guglielmi clarified. “The Secret Service notified DHS OIG of the loss of certain phones’ data, but confirmed to OIG that none of the texts it was seeking had been lost in the migration.”

The Secret Service was implicated in the public hearings as former Mark Meadows aide Cassidy Hutchinson testified that former President Donald Trump made an effort to take the steering wheel in an effort to join his supporters at the Capitol following the “Stop the Steal” rally, but the Secret Service agent Bobby Engel stopped him. Hutchinson also claimed that the Secret Service knew that Trump supporters were armed at the rally.

Rose Carter

Share
Published by
Rose Carter

Recent Posts

Trump Drops Federal Lawsuit Against ‘Des Moines Register’ Over Poll That Showed Him Losing To Kamala Harris, Then Refiles It As State Suit

Last month, President Donald Trump dropped a federal lawsuit against famed Iowa pollster Ann Selzer…

5 hours ago

JD Vance Called Out For Hypocrisy After Old Epstein Tweet Emerges

Vice President JD Vance made a damning remark against sex offender Jeffrey Epstein back in…

7 hours ago

Obama Urges Democrats To ‘Toughen Up’ In Fight Against Trump

Former President Barack Obama criticized the inaction of Democrats at a fundraiser in New Jersey.…

1 day ago

After Elmo’s X Account Goes On Anti-Semitic & Racist Outburst, New Questions About Security Of The Platform

Last week, the X account for Elmo, the beloved Sesame Street character, was hacked. During…

1 day ago

Democrats Demand Answers On Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, Question Violation Of ‘Fundamental Humanitarian Principles’

The U.S.-backed aid group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has come under scrutiny amid speculation…

1 day ago

Blue State Republicans Win $40K Cap On SALT In Trump Budget – But It’s Only Temporary

Donald Trump signed his "Big, Beautiful Bill" into law on July 4. It included a…

1 day ago