Trump Fires Another Government Staff, Secret Service Chief Randolph Alles Dismissed

It remains unclear if President Donald Trump fired Randolph “Tex” Alles, Director of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS), or if Alles resigned without being pushed to do so.

Conflicting media reports this early on say Trump did and Trump didn’t. Some news stories say Trump ordered acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney to fire Alles instead of firing him directly. Others say Alles resigned.

What is clear is Alles’ removal came just a day after Trump announced Kirstjen Nielsen's resignation as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Secret Service director reports directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Alles has been with USSS for 40 years. Personnel of the USSS are responsible for protecting the President of the United States.

Alles “will be leaving shortly,” said White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. She gave no reason for Alles' firing and claims Alles “has done a great job at the agency over the last two years, and the President is thankful for his over 40 years of service to the country.”

It's unclear why Alles was fired, but some administration officials said Trump made the decision to let him go of him two weeks ago.

According to NBC, citing senior administration officials, Alles’ firing was “not based on any single precipitating event.” The decision was made 10 to 14 days ago, said one official. This was before the Mar-a-Lago intrusion when a female Chinese national made her way inside Trump's resort before being stopped.

CNN, however, reported Alles had emailed his staff about his departure. Alles said he wasn't fired, but was told weeks ago the administration was making "transitions in leadership" at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

"The President has directed an orderly transition in leadership for this agency and I intend to abide by that direction," he wrote.

James M. Murray, a career member of the USSS, will take over as director beginning May.