Earlier today, the Secret Service announced via email that it was "aware of the postings" that might be evidence of professional misconduct on behalf of 46-year-old Kerry O'Grady, a special agent at the Denver field office.
The agency is "taking quick and appropriate action," read the statement. "All Secret Service agents and employees are held to the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct."
Anti-Trump remarks posted to O'Grady's Facebook page were revealed in a report released yesterday by the conservative-leaning newspaper The Washington Examiner. The most conspicuous post is one in which she seemingly admits to violating the Hatch Act, which bans federal employees from engaging in political activity.
“As a public servant for nearly 23 years, I struggle not to violate the Hatch Act," she began the post in question. "So I keep quiet and skirt the median. To do otherwise can be a criminal offense for those in my position. Despite the fact that, I am expected to take a bullet for both sides.”
Continuing the post, she suggested that she would prefer to break the law than to endorse or to risk her life for a certain presidential candidate. That man, though not explicitly named, is obviously the current president: Donald Trump.
"But this world has changed and I have changed," wrote O'Grady. "And I would take jail time over a bullet or an endorsement for what I believe to be disaster to this country and the strong and amazing women and minorities who reside here. Hatch Act be damned. I am with Her.”
The last sentence seems to equate to an endorsement of Hillary Clinton.
In the same report, O'Grady is interviewed by The Examiner, and she expressed regret for the aforementioned post, saying, "It was an internal struggle for me, but as soon as I put it up, I thought it was not the sentiment that I needed to share because I care very deeply about the mission.”
O'Grady said that she made the post shortly after the audio leak of Trump's backstage comments made to an Access Hollywood host about pursuing women in a predatory manner. She revealed that she had experienced sexual assault in college and thus felt triggered by Trump's remarks: "There was an emotional reaction to what was said."
When asked to clarify if her duty to protect President Trump could be compromised by her personal sentiments, O'Grady said, "I hope you understand that's an emphatic no and I need to make sure that's resoundingly clear and just reinforces that this job needs to done well."
More recently, O'Grady has been involved with potentially political Facebook activity, such as using the logo of the Women's March on Denver as her cover photo on inauguration ady. Screenshots of the politically-sensitive posts made by O'Grady are included in The Examiner's report.
Though she admitted to the potential legal ramifications of her post that described Trump as a "disaster to this country," O'Grady issued a statement yesterday in defense of her right to "free expression." She claims to be a defender of the government precisely because it protects that right:
"I serve this country with pride and I proudly diligently and fiercely protect and support the institutions and pillars of our republic established by the very same document that allows my free expression. I do so with every fiber of my being for the very reason that those institutions are in place to guarantee my right and the rights of all our citizens to voice and express our opinions and beliefs even when and especially when those values may be contrary to those of the party in power. My devotion to mission and country is only strengthened by the fact that the founders recognize the value of dissent and the freedom to assemble and voice those opposing convictions.
"They enshrine those rights for future generations so we avoid the path of authoritarian regimes that shackle their people with fear."
O'Grady is involved in "the Secret Service's investigative, intelligence, and protective missions throughout Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho," reports the The New York Times. The job description suggests she would be an active part of overseeing the security of Trump and those in his administration while they are in any of those states.
