Secret Service Boots 4 Top Executives

The Secret Service purge continues: Four assistant directors have been stripped of their posts, reports the Washington Post. The four had been in charge of protection, investigations, technology, and public affairs, but now they've been told to quit, retire, or assume a lesser position with the agency. A fifth assistant director, in charge of training, previously announced he was retiring, notes Reuters. The move by acting Director Joseph Clancy follows the resignation of chief Julia Pierson in October after a seemingly endless string of embarrassments. (Let's see, hookers, booze, fence-jumpers, botched investigations, etc.)

"Change is necessary to gain a fresh perspective on how we conduct business,” says Clancy. "I am certain any of our senior executives will be productive and valued assets either in other positions at the Secret Service or the (Homeland Security) department.” (More Secret Service stories.)