Pierson resigned as Director of the United States Secret Service after criticized for the recent security breaches.
After the security breach on the White House on September 19, the competence of the Secret Service has been in question. Secret Service Director Julia Pierson resigned from her position today.
Jeh Johnson, Director of Homeland Security announced Pierson’s resigning in a statement on Wednesday.
Members of Congress declared their distrust of the Secret Service’s capabilities of protecting the President and his family on Tuesday. After three hours of questioning at Capitol Hill, lawmakers from both parties called for an independent investigation of the Secret Service.
“I take full responsibility. What happened is unacceptable, and it will never happen again,” Pierson said. She stated that she was in her position for 18 months and her efforts in reform of the Secret Service were not fully supported.
“I wish to God you had protected the White House like you are protecting your reputation," said Stephen Lynch of the Republican Party in reference to Julia Pierson. Critical remarks were made towards the director throughout the questioning.
Another security breach was left out of Pierson’s testimony to the members of Congress. The director failed to mention a security breach on September 16, 2014 when an armed private security contractor shared an elevator with the President, a violation of security codes, in Atlanta when the President visited the CDC.
On September 19, 2014 Omar J. Gonzalez climbed over the fence, through the North Portico doors, and halfway through the first floor before being tackled by a member of the security force. Gonzalez was armed with a foldable knife.
Deeper criticism was drawn after the Secret Service first revealed that the Gonzalez made it through only the front North Portico without any weapons. They later admitted that Gonzalez traveled to the East Room with a knife before being subdued by White House security.
The omission of evidence and information regarding the security breaches was not taken lightly. Many believe the lack of security around the President sends a message of vulnerability to the world.
