Secret Service bad boys

The U.S. Secret Service has a tough job-protecting the president and other top federal officials-which, by and large, it performs capably and professionally. Indeed, for many years its reputation for bravery and effectiveness has been right up there with the Navy SEALs and other elite American fighting forces.

Lately, though, you are more likely to hear late-night comics making jokes at the Secret Service’s expense. The reason is obvious: embarrassing episodes of frat-boy behavior, both overseas and in the United States, culminating in last week’s report of an agent getting drunk and passing out in a Netherlands hotel corridor.

There’s no excuse for misconduct that puts the president at greater risk, even by a small margin, which is exactly what getting falling-down drunk the night before you’re supposed to go on duty can do. There’s no excuse for damaging the reputation of your country and disgracing your agency. To drum home that message, yet again, the Secret Service sent three agents home from the Netherlands and placed them on administrative leave; we assume tougher discipline is to follow.