Mike Pence Arizona trip was delayed because Secret Service agents got coronavirus

"Pence was scheduled to go to Phoenix on Tuesday but went on Wednesday instead so that healthy agents could be deployed for his visit."

Vice President Mike Pence's trip this week to Arizona was held off for a day after Secret Service agents who were organizing the VP's junket either tested positive for coronavirus, or displayed obvious symptoms of infection. What a mess this government is.

From Carol Leonnig and Josh Dawsey's scoop late Thursday at the Washington Post:

The Secret Service needed time to bring in healthy agents and other personnel to replace the ones who were either sick or most likely sick, one of the officials said. The official said the Secret Service estimated that a total of eight to 10 agents and other officers from sister agencies — all of whom were helping prepare for Pence's visit to Arizona — had fallen ill.

This is the second time in recent weeks that Secret Service agents preparing for a White House or Trump campaign event outside of Washington have contracted the virus. At least three Secret Service personnel working on the advance team for President Trump's Tulsa rally on June 20 tested positive for covid-19. Two agents tested positive hours before the indoor stadium event was held and dozens of agents who were on site for the rally were ordered to self-quarantine when they arrived home.

Read more:
Secret Service agents preparing for Pence Arizona trip contracted coronavirus