U.S. Secret Service resigns following high-profile security lapsesOctober 2, 2014 - 10:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The head of the U.S. Secret Service, tasked with guarding President Barack Obama, has resigned following several high-profile security lapses. Julia Pierson offered her resignation to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday, Oct 1. A day earlier, she faced angry questions in Congress about a major breach of White House security. News of another incident involving an armed man allowed in a lift with Obama compounded calls for her to go. "Today Julia Pierson, the Director of the United States Secret Service, offered her resignation, and I accepted it," Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson wrote in a statement. "I salute her 30 years of distinguished service to the Secret Service and the Nation." Obama also expressed his appreciation to Pierson for her long history of public service, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters on Wednesday. Pierson offered her resignation because "she believed it was in the best interests of the agency to which she has dedicated her career", Earnest added. In an interview with Bloomberg News after her resignation was announced, Pierson said she knew Congress had "lost confidence in my ability to run the agency''. Joseph Clancy, in charge of the presidential protective division of the agency, will take over as acting interim director. High-ranking members of the U.S. Congress had been calling for Pierson's resignation in the wake of her testimony before a House oversight committee on Tuesday. On Sept 19, suspect Omar Gonzalez, 42, allegedly scaled a fence and gained entry to the famed U.S. residence while carrying a knife. Gonzalez pleaded not guilty to charges against him, including entering a restricted building or grounds while carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. Prosecutors say he jumped the main fence around the White House and gained entry inside through an unlocked door, then barrelled past a guard and ran into the East Room before being tackled. Obama and his family were not at the White House when the intrusion happened, having departed about 10 minutes earlier by helicopter. The incident is the latest in a string of security lapses overseen by the Secret Service, tasked with guarding the Obama family. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. |