Inexplicably, Omar Gonzalez breached at least “Five Rings” of security on September 19th. The White House complex is supposed to be one of the most secure facilities in the country, if not the world. So, how on earth did this happen? This failure has once again tested the trust of the American people in the Secret Service – a trust already strained by a string of recent scandals.
From allowing paparazzi-craving-reality-TV “stars” to crash a State Dinner, to engaging with prostitutes in Cartagena, and excessive drinking in the Netherlands, the Secret Service has encountered some serious problems recently. Just this weekend, there are new reports of a mishandled response in 2011 to a gunman who sprayed bullets into the White House, causing nearly $100,000 in damage.
Morale at the agency appears in decline. In light of the recent break-in, we have to ask whether the culture at the Secret Service and declining morale have impacted operational security. We will be asking tough questions today. The appointment of Director Pierson brought the hope that the agency would reclaim its noble image – but recent events show the troubles facing the agency are far from over.
The man that fired 7 shots into the White House in 2011 was also named Gonzalez, I think. What;’s up with that? They BOTH had Machetes and knives.