Ever since Barack Obama decided to run for the Presidency the first time, I’ve been worried about his safety.

Evidently, I should have been worried about Michelle’s, too.

The Washington Post reports that a D.C. police officer allegedly threatened to shoot the First Lady this week.

And get this: The officer actually “worked as a motorcycle escort for White House officials.”

According to the Post, at a meeting of police officers about threats to the Obamas, this officer not only allegedly announced that he wanted to kill her; he also showed other policemen a picture on his phone of the gun he would use to assassinate her with.

The Secret Service is investigating the threat, and the DC police are disciplining the officer, according to the Post. So this one is under control.

But what about the next one?

It’s not only the stray nutjob that the Secret Service has to worry about. But also any unhinged local law enforcement officers, especially in areas that are extremely hostile toward him. They’re authorized to carry weapons and, in uniform, they could easily get close to the President. Ostensibly there for his protection, they could turn around and do the horrible deed.

Memo to the Secret Service: Before you let the President or First Lady travel anywhere, run a background check on the local cops.

If you liked this story by Matthew Rothschild, the editor of The Progressive magazine, check out his story “Obama Strikes Populist Chord on Taxes."

Follow Matthew Rothschild @mattrothschild on Twitter