When the U.S. government shutdown grounded thousands of commercial flights, Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) special agents from the Dignitary Protection Division (DP), New York Field Office (NYFO), and Buffalo Resident Office (BFRO) faced a mission-defining challenge. India’s Foreign Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar was scheduled for a bilateral meeting with UN General Secretary António Guterres, and DSS needed to quickly adapt to ensure his timely arrival and uphold the bureau’s core mission: protection.
With flights canceled nationwide and diplomatic meetings imminent, DSS crafted a bold contingency plan: receive the foreign minister at the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge and execute a 416-mile interstate motorcade to Manhattan.
The mission mobilized 27 agents, including three from DP who drove to Buffalo and New York to join BFRO and NYFO teams for a rare long-distance motorcade movement.
From the first mile to the last, the detail showcased hallmark DSS tradecraft—adaptability, resilience, technical proficiency, and disciplined execution. The journey began with BFRO agents coordinating with officials from the Mission of India to the U.N., Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers who protected the foreign minister while he was in Canada, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel at the bridge to expedite a smooth transition at the border. This coordination exemplified DSS’s unique acumen in international and interagency cooperation in law enforcement and security. Agents meticulously planned routes through western, central, and remote portions of upstate New York, managed fatigue through structured driver rotations, and ensured seamless continuity of protection while maintaining the foreign minister’s comfort across the seven-hour journey. Despite freezing temperatures, limited visibility, and shutdown-related constraints, DSS agents executed with calm professionalism and unwavering focus.
During the scheduled handoff between BFRO and NYFO teams, a Broome County Sheriff’s Office explosive ordinance disposal K9 alerted on the foreign minister’s armored vehicle. Agents quickly secured the area, coordinated with local explosive ordinance disposal technicians, and, after a thorough inspection, cleared the vehicle, which served as an example of the team’s poise and adherence to DSS standards under pressure.
The detail demonstrated its versatility in New York City during a medical emergency. A detail agent encountered a woman seriously injured in a hit-and-run collision and immediately rendered aid. Working with New York City Police Department intelligence detectives and motorcade agents, the team secured the scene, controlled traffic, and expedited New York City Fire Department and Emergency Medical Service access. The victim received urgent care without any impact on protective operations for the foreign minister—underscoring the ability of DSS special agents to protect their dignitary while stepping up to assist the public.
The successful execution of the mission ensured the foreign minister’s diplomatic agenda proceeded without disruption, advancing strategic U.S. foreign policy interests fully aligned with the administration’s America First policy priorities. It also reflected the ethos emphasized by incoming DS leadership: disciplined execution, mission focus, technical proficiency, and unwavering readiness in support of American diplomacy. Moreover, the operation stands as an example of DSS agents who adapt under pressure and protect with precision, whether safeguarding a foreign dignitary or rendering life-saving aid to a member of the public.