The possibility of Hillary Clinton setting up shop in the oval office might cause some of the nation’s elite protectors to seek transfers, according to a number of new books written by those with experience in the field.
Gary Aldridge’s Unlimited Access doesn’t paint the prettiest portrait of the veteran politico, rehashing the incident in which she snapped at an agent for not playing bellhop to her.
According to Aldridge, after an agent declined her request to carry her bags around — not a task they are required to do — the former First Lady snapped at the man, yelling, “Stay the f*ck away from me! Just f*cking do as I say!”
Dan Emmett, a retired Secret Service agent, has published an updated version of his book Within Arm’s Length, in which he recalls his time on the squad under three presidents, Clinton and both Bushes — George H.W. and George W. — as part of the Presidential Protective Division.
He recalled a 1994 Valentine’s Day incident in which Bill and Chelsea Clinton surprised Hillary by showing up on a rainy night as she returned to Andrews Air Force Base, but Hillary didn’t have a “Thank You” for the grand, last minute gesture on the part of the agents. (Bill and Chelsea did, according to the author.)
Emmett added that the arrogance trickled down from the Clintons to their rude and arrogant political underlings, as “most of these youngsters were from wealthy families and many viewed Secret Service agents as the hired help,” showing little respect for the muscle that kept them safe.
Should Hillary, 66, follow Pres. Barack Obama in the presidential chair, there might be some sunshine on the Secret Service courtesy of former Pres. Bill Clinton, 67, who Emmett hailed as an appreciative, polite and thankful to his agents, chatted with them, knew their names and would pose for photos with their families.
Bill’s biggest foible to the agents, Emmett wrote, was his penchant for running at high speeds on public streets, in some cases, putting himself in extremely dangerous situations, as some of the agents weren’t fit enough to keep pace should a would be assassin want to take aim. (The 42nd president was cavalier when it came to his personal safety, the former agent recalled.)
“Up until the Clinton years and the relatively new threat of terrorist attacks,” Emmett wrote that the PPD “had been largely a gentleman’s assignment, where looking the part combined with good instincts and reactions was almost all that was needed.”
Emmett in his book, also recalls the perk of not having to go through customs, enabling agents to bring home otherworldly souvenirs from around the world “where you could buy anything from machine guns to people.”
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