Snap hires Secret Service chief to lead employee security

Current US Secret Service Chief James Murray (pictured) will step down to lead security at Snap. Murray, who joined the Secret Service in 1995 and assumed the role of director in April 2019, will step down on July 30. The Washington Post reports that Murray has been seeking retirement from public service for a time and that his departure is unrelated to any recent scandals. The Verge reports that Murray will start at Snapchat on August 1, working on employee protections and liaising with law enforcement if needed.

The Secret Service has come under intense scrutiny in recent years after a number of high-profile incidents tarnished some of its reputation. This includes a series of security breaches during President Obama's tenure, with officers soliciting sex workers while on duty. Politico reports that Murray's decision to allow service officer Anthony Ornato to serve as the White House's political adviser to the previous administration was problematic for a body meant to be above politics.

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