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John (Secret Service)

Overview​

John is a Black Secret Service agent encountered outside the White House on May 16, 2025. He provided helpful guidance on White House security protocols and entry procedures for the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. John appears to be personable and willing to engage in conversation beyond his professional duties, sharing insights about his work experience and personal interests.

Background & Experience​

  • Secret Service agent working White House security
  • Previously stationed in Austin, Texas in 2014
    • Was stationed at Fort Hood during the shooting incident in 2014
  • Served at the Vice President's residence for approximately one year during Harris administration

Professional Insights​

  • Describes his job as "really flexible" with multiple possible assignments:
    • "I just like being a regular cop, so I'll be on the feet or I'll be sometimes in the house, sometimes I'll be in old buildings, sometimes I'll be in new buildings."
  • Mentioned White House security changes:
    • Pennsylvania Avenue used to be open to regular traffic
    • Security perimeters expanded after the Oklahoma City bombing
    • Mentioned a recent incident: "U truck tried to drive" (likely referring to an unauthorized vehicle attempting to approach the White House)
  • Describes various security protocols such as checking "plain view in cars" when on exterior posts
  • Notes that the White House complex has regular security concerns: "Every now and then, you see some weird stuff in cars and you have to find out what it's about."
  • Indicated that he had been on duty since 2:00 AM that day

Personal Observations​

  • Music preferences:
    • Alternative rock (Kings of Leon, The Killers)
    • "Old school" hip-hop like De La Soul
  • Interacted with various officials but maintains professional distance
    • Named VP Harris as "the nicest person to me personally"
    • "She always lean forward and wave whenever the motorcade was going by... she stopped talking to whoever wanted her associates were whatever she was doing. She stopped talking though, she came over to me."
  • Shows historical knowledge about DC landmarks:
    • Noted the Eisenhower Building has "900 exterior columns"
    • Mentioned people used to call it an "atrocity back in the day" because "it was built there in a horrible time. Great Depression era."

Interactions​

  • 2025-05-16: Met Gary Sheng outside the White House. Provided detailed security information for entering the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, discussed White House security practices, and shared personal experiences as a Secret Service agent.

Transcripts​

Transcript IDDateSummary
2025-05-16-conversation-with-john-secret-service2025-05-16Spontaneous conversation outside White House providing security protocol guidance, historical insights about White House security evolution, and personal experiences as Secret Service agent

Value to Network​

  • Could potentially provide informal insights about White House security protocols and procedures
  • May have observations about official and unofficial activities around the White House
  • Has experience with high-level officials and their security requirements