Monday, October 27, 2014

Director of the Secret Service Steps Down

Charlee Cobb

On October 1, Julia Pierson resigned as the Secret Service director after a lot of major complications within the White House security. The most recent security breach occurred when a man with a knife was stopped after he had jumped the fence and entered the White House. Another security breach took place in Atlanta when an armed contractor, with a criminal record, was able to ride the elevator with the President.

Congress did not feel comfortable with the latest incidents that fell under Ms. Pierson’s responsibility. After a hearing held on September 30th, they asked her to step down.

However, some feel that Ms. Pierson is not the only one to blame. Congressman Elijah Cummings said in an interview with MSNBC, “This [breaching security] culture didn’t just come about because of Ms. Pierson. There are probably some other folks that need to take the exit sign—exit ramp—out too.”


Pierson had been working as the director for only a year and a half, but had over 30 years of experience in the Secret Service. President Barack Obama personally appointed her, and after her resignation he expressed his thanks for her time on the job. Joseph Clancy, of the Presidential Protection Division, will now take the interim position of Secret Service director.

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