Head Of Secret Service Questioned After Security Breach
WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- The head of the Secret Service got grilled on Capitol Hill by lawmakers who say the agency failed to protect the president at least three times recently. The most alarming was when a man ran deep into the White House with a knife, getting by several layers of security.
Mary Bubala has the growing concerns.
Secret Service Director Julia Pierson is taking full responsibility for security lapses at the White House.
"I agree mistakes were made and the proper protocols were not followed," she said.
Pierson was on Capitol Hill to explain a series of mistakes made by Secret Service personnel, including an incident earlier this month when a man carrying a knife made it past several agents and into the White House before being captured.
"I do want our officers and agents to execute appropriate force for anyone attempting to challenge or breach the White House," Pierson said.
Panel members say the director did little to change their concerns.
"The director did not get a clean bill of health at the end of this hearing," said Rep. Darrell Issa.
"We need to have an outside review of the agency," said Rep. Elijah Cummings.
Lawmakers also recently discovered the Secret Service took several days to realize someone shot at the White House residence, hitting it at least seven times in 2011.
"When did your agency find evidence of the shooting?" said Rep. Trey Gowdy.
"I believe it was on the 15th or 14th of November," Pierson replied.
"Which was how many days after the shooting?" Gowdy asked.
"Three to four days later," she said.
A maid was the one who first noticed the bullet marks near the residence. The president's daughter Sasha was home at the time.
Oscar Ortega Hernandez was arrested and convicted for the 2011 shooting.
Director Pierson says she is conducting a full investigation of both incidents to find out what happened.
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