More than 130 Secret Service agents assigned to the White House or outgoing president Donald Trump’s travel detail are being isolated because they have tested positive for coronavirus or have been in close contact with those who have, the Washington Post reports.
The order sidelines about 10% of the US Secret Service’s core security team, responsible for protecting the President and other VIPs. The infections are believed to have been caused by lax precautions at Trump events, including rallies and White House events.No fewer than seven people, including White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and HUD Secretary Ben Carson, who attended an Election Night event in the East Room of the White House have tested positive. At least seven people from the campaign or RNC who typically traveled with Trump for rallies have also tested postive.
Trump did not demand attendees follow masking or social distancing guidelines at the White House or at campaign rallies. Few people were seen wearing masks at the events. At virtually every Trump rally, the campaign broke local rules regarding the size of gatherings and making in public places.
Trump has not made a public statement in more than a week–a week during which around 1 million Americans have been reported with confirmed cases of coronavirus and more than 7,500 people have died from the virus.