Matt Quinn, the deputy director of the U.S. Secret Service, announced Friday that he will step down from his post after serving for 18 months. Quinn, who returned to the agency following a previous retirement, said the decision was driven by a desire to spend more time with his family.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Quinn said he had been coordinating with Secret Service Director Sean Curran on a transition plan "for months now." His last day will be November 7, according to a letter sent to agency staff and obtained by NewsNation.
Quinn described his tenure as "the most rewarding of my career," but acknowledged that leaving was "not an easy decision." He noted that his return to the service was never intended as a long-term commitment, telling staff he had informed Curran that "one of my goals was to work myself out of this job as quickly as possible."
The outgoing deputy director expressed confidence in the agency's future, emphasizing its tradition of internal promotions. "The Secret Service has a long history of promoting from within, and I strongly believe that legacy is a positive one for the organization," he wrote. "I wanted to help ensure that the Secret Service would never feel the need to look outside the organization to fill the Deputy Director role again. I know we have accomplished that goal."
Quinn's resignation comes at a time when the Secret Service is grappling with a surge in threats against its protectees. In a joint interview with Curran on "60 Minutes" earlier this week, Quinn addressed the rising number of investigations, noting that the agency had opened over 10,000 threat investigations this year, a roughly 40% increase from the same period last year. When asked about threats against President Trump, Quinn pointed to mental health issues as a key factor, saying, "And more people are being pushed over the edge in either direction."
The deputy director's exit adds to a turbulent week for the Trump administration, marked by several high-profile departures. On Friday, the White House announced that newly appointed press secretary Katie Zacharia would leave her position after just five days, following scrutiny over her legal qualifications and readiness for the role. Zacharia's brief tenure has drawn widespread attention, with some critics suggesting she was set up to fail. Her departure has sparked speculation about potential successors, including far-right activist Laura Loomer, who has pitched herself for the role.
Additionally, former U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle resigned Tuesday after President Trump requested she step down, amid criticism over her relationship with a GOP donor. These personnel changes underscore the instability within the administration's communications and diplomatic ranks.
The Secret Service has not yet announced a replacement for Quinn. The agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Quinn's departure marks a significant leadership shift for an agency already under intense scrutiny following recent security lapses and a heightened threat environment.
