David Cho is a former U.S. Secret Service agent who was the Special Agent In Charge of the Presidential Protective Division detail for U.S. President Joe Biden.[1] Prior to the Biden Administration, Cho served as leader of the Presidential Protective Division detail for President Donald Trump.[2]
David Cho | |
|---|---|
 Cho pictured in 2019. | |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Occupation | Deputy Head of Security for Citadel LLC's |
| Employer | Citadel LLC |
During the Trump Administration, Cho was second in command of the protective detail. He became the first Korean-American Special Agent In Charge of a president's Secret Service detail in January 2021.[3][4] Cho was appointed head of Biden's security detail after several agents were removed from Biden's detail over concerns of loyalty to Biden's political rival, Trump.[5][6] In January 2022 Cho started working as deputy head of security for Citadel LLC.[7]
Career
editIn 2019, Cho received the "Exceptional Service Medal" from the Secretary of Homeland Security.[8] He was recognized for negotiating with North Korean officials for arranging security for Trump for both summits with Kim Jong Un, specifically, "for tireless and direct participation in high-level negotiations with the leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, planning all security details for both Presidential visits to that country, while simultaneously leading the men and women of the Presidential Protective Division at the White House."[9][10]
Cho appeared at the Inauguration of Joe Biden as the head of Biden's Secret Service detail and previously appeared at multiple events alongside Trump.[11] In the wake of the inauguration, Cho's leadership of the Presidential Protective Division was praised by observers as demonstrating the inclusion of racial minorities in sensitive U.S. government positions.[12]
However, throughout the inauguration, many far-right conspiracy theorists falsely accused Cho of being a "Chinese handler" due to his race and Cho's proximity to Biden throughout the Inauguration.[13][14][15] Per Secret Service practice, the head of the Presidential Protective Division maintains close proximity to the President at all times – including travelling in the front passenger seat of the presidential limousine and with the President on Marine One and Air Force One during all domestic and foreign trips.
On December 9, 2021, it was announced that Cho would be retiring from the Secret Service to take a job with Citadel, billionaire Kenneth C. Griffin’s $43 billion hedge fund.[16] Cho started as Citadel LLC's deputy head of security on January 3, 2022.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Ke, Bryan (January 21, 2021). "Meet the Korean American Leading President Biden's Secret Service Detail". news.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ Tamanaha, Akemi (January 20, 2021). "Biden Picks AAPI Special Agent to Lead Security Detail". AsAmNews. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ Park, Hanna (January 21, 2021). "Why Koreans pointed out two 'Joes' at inauguration". NBC News. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ "한국을 대표하는 글로벌 방송! The World On Arirang!". Korean American David Cho to lead President Biden's secret service detail. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ Ambinder, Marc (January 19, 2021). "The Secret Service Is Bracing for Dangerous Times". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ Folley, Aris (December 30, 2020). "Secret Service making changes to presidential detail amid concerns current members are aligned with Trump: report". TheHill. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ a b Shazar, Jon (December 9, 2021). "Working For, Keeping Safe Donald Trump Not A Big Enough Challenge For David Cho". Dealbreaker. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
- ^ "Meet the Korean American Leading President Biden's Secret Service Detail". NextShark. January 21, 2021. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ "Exceptional Service". Department of Homeland Security. November 5, 2019. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ Leonnig, Carol D. (December 30, 2020). "Secret Service to make changes to presidential detail to bring on agents who worked with Biden". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ "Why Koreans pointed to two 'Joes' at inauguration – tvshowcity". Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ "Secret Service Puts Asian American Agent in Charge of President's Detail". Rafu Shimpo. January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
- ^ Esguerra, Anthony (January 22, 2021). "No, Biden Doesn't Have a 'Chinese Handler.' He's a US Secret Service Agent". www.vice.com. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ "Fact check: Photos show Biden with U.S. Secret Service agent". Reuters. January 26, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
- ^ "PolitiFact - Photos show Biden with a Secret Service agent, not a 'Chinese handler'". @politifact. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
- ^ "Biden's Top Secret Service Agent Cho to Join Hedge Fund Citadel". www.bloomberg.com. Bloomberg News. December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2021.