News National/International

Secret Service Boss Vows No Repeat Of Breach

 

Secret Service Director Julia Pierson vows that a security breach like the Sept. 19 incident in which a man scaled the White House fence will never happen again.

Pierson told the House Oversight and Government Operations Committee on Tuesday that the breach was unacceptable.
 
Omar J. Gonzalez, an Army veteran who was armed with a knife, jumped the fence and made it much further into the White House than officials previously disclosed, according to lawmakers.

"It's clear that our security plan was not executed properly. I take full responsibility. What happened is unacceptable and it will never happen again," Pierson told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in her opening remarks. She said she was committed to a full review and implementing recommended changes.

She sat opposite committee members just as new information has come to light about the incident.

The Washington Post reports that after jumping the fence, Omar Gonzalez made it past the front doors, overpowered a guard and then ran across the East Room before being tackled at the doorway to the Green Room.