The Diplomatic Security Service was once thought of as a premier law enforcement organization. It was always supposed to be that way.
After all, the State Department security agency has critical responsibilities. It must protect U.S. diplomats and diplomatic institutions around the world, American athletes competing at the Olympics and other high-profile competitions, the secretary of state and the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and certain at-risk foreign ambassadors in Washington. The agency is also responsible for criminal investigations relevant to counterterrorism concerns such as visa and passport fraud. While DSS’s successes are often unsung, the 2012 terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi underlined the grave confronting its people.
The vast majority of DSS agents, analysts, engineers, and other technical officers are serving with skill and courage at…
