US soldiers removed from White House detail amid probe: report

A view of the White House on February 14, 2014 in Washington, DC. Military investigators are probing whether three soldiers who worked in the White House had "improper contact" with foreign women on President Donald Trump's recent Asia trip. PHOTO | BRENDAN SMIALOWSKII | AFP

What you need to know:

  • The three non-commissioned officers allegedly broke a curfew during President Trump's Vietnam visit, officials say.
  • Four troops from the same White House team faced allegations around accompanying women during a trip to Panama in August with Vice President Mike Pence.

WASHINGTON

Military investigators are probing whether three soldiers who worked in the White House had "improper contact" with foreign women on President Donald Trump's recent Asia trip, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday.

Officials familiar with the situation told the Post that the three non-commissioned officers allegedly broke a curfew during Trump's Vietnam visit.

INVESTIGATION

The service members had been working for the White House Communications Agency, a specialised military unit that helps provide top officials with secure communications, the Post said.

Pentagon spokesman Mark Wright confirmed the probe.

"We are aware of the incident and it is currently under investigation," Wright told AFP, without providing additional details.

HEADACHE

The investigation is the latest headache for US security detail accompanying top officials on overseas trips.

The Post said that four troops from the same White House team faced allegations around accompanying women, stemming from a trip to Panama in August with Vice President Mike Pence.

In another incident in 2012, Secret Service agents in Cartagena, Colombia, were caught soliciting prostitutes.