U.S. Secret Service director Pierson resigns under fire

WASHINGTON – The Director of the Secret Service has resigned. Julia Pierson was chosen to head the U.S. Secret Service and to clean up the agency’s culture. However, on Wednesday, Pierson, the first woman to head the Secret Service in the agency’s 148-year history, turned in her resignation.

Pierson had come under fire for a series of startling security breaches at the White House.

Republicans and Democrats both raised serious concerns over apparent security lapses and breaches in recent weeks and month. Her resignation comes one day after Pierson faced scathing criticism from lawmakers at a hearing on Capitol Hill.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says President Barack Obama decided new leadership was needed at the agency after the security lapses. They included that White House fence jumper who gained access deep into the executive mansion last month.

Johh Earnest stated, “This afternoon the President had the opportunity to telephone Director Pierson to express his appreciation for her service to the agency and to the country. She dedicated more than 30 years of her life to the United States Secret Service.

Concerns over the President and the First Family’s safety came about as revelations that an intruder had made it inside the White House to the East Room, only minutes after the President and his two daughters had left the White House in Marine One.

In an increasingly partisan Washington, one area that both Republicans and Democrats have found common ground is in the safety of the President.

The apparent final straw for the West Wing of the White House came over a security breach last month in Atlanta. An armed security guard was able to ride in an elevator with the President.

Information on that breach became known this week, and led to the loss of confidence in Pierson and her resignation followed.

Video by Reuters