Media reports indicate a sense of frustration within the U.S. Secret Service, responsible for protecting Vice President J.D. Vance, due to what some security personnel described as sudden and unusual travel requests from the vice president's family.

The Independent, citing MS Now network and informed sources, reported that members of the security team felt frustrated due to movements being reported late, which increases the difficulty of security planning and affects team morale.

According to the report, Vance last week requested the use of a military helicopter from the U.S. Marine Corps, known as 'Marine Two,' to transport him and his son across Washington, D.C., for a golf lesson. The trip was later canceled due to bad weather, but the request sparked discussion within the Secret Service.

The report noted that previous vice presidents typically relied on official protective vehicles to transport their children to daily activities, rather than using costly military assets that can cost tens of thousands of dollars per hour to operate.

The network quoted one source as saying that security personnel are 'tired of not receiving advance notice,' adding that Vance sometimes acts as if he is still a senator, not a vice president subject to special security arrangements.

For his part, the vice president's office affirmed that the Vance family greatly appreciates the work of the Secret Service men and women, emphasizing that protecting a vice president with broad political responsibilities and a young family is a complex task requiring constant effort.

A U.S. administration official explained that the proposed trip aimed to avoid traffic congestion and provide a safe environment for the family, stressing that Vance did not request special treatment and that the nature of his position imposes different security requirements.

Broader debate over use of government resources

The controversy over Vance comes at a time when other figures in the U.S. administration are facing criticism over the use of protective measures and government resources.

Reports said that FBI Director Kash Patel canceled a trip to Chicago he intended to make to visit his girlfriend, after being summoned to Washington for a White House meeting. Patel denied the reports, calling them 'false.'

Democratic lawmakers in Congress are also investigating possible misuse of taxpayer funds in some of Patel's trips, allegations that the FBI rejected, asserting that Patel paid his personal expenses and complied with applicable rules.

The U.S. Secret Service faces increasing challenges, including staff shortages and rising workloads. According to a report by the Inspector General, the agency's workforce shortage exceeded 20 percent in 2024, a period that saw an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump during a campaign rally.