THE SECRET SERVICE, the US law enforcement agency tasked with the protection of America’s leaders, is “an agency in crisis”.
That is according to a House of Representatives committee’s critical report.
The year-long investigation also found 143 security breaches or attempted breaches over the past 10 years at facilities secured by the agency.
Several of the breaches, some which involve US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, have not been revealed before.
In one instance, according to the 438-page report, four young men “went fishing in the Bidens’ backyard” and were only caught when a neighbour called the police.
Last year, a man carrying a knife made it through the White House doors before being stopped.
In another incident, a man posing as a fictional member of Congress was ushered into a meet-and-greet with Obama.
The committee also found evidence of undisclosed security breaches, including a February incident in which two people gained access to the outer security perimeter of the White House by walking in unnoticed.
The report highlighted an incident in October 2014 when an unauthorised woman was able to get backstage at a Congressional Hispanic Caucus event that Obama attended.
In the spring of 2014 a Czech citizen with an expired US visa entered the property of former President George W Bush and remained undetected for nearly an hour.
The committee’s investigation also found new information about past scandals, including the Colombia prostitution case. In 2012, a dozen agents were recalled by the President after allegations agents had engaged the services of prostitutes while in Colombia ahead of his visit.
The report said the Secret Service’s own investigation of that incident uncovered multiple emails between agents and officers discussing the trip and alluding to plans to enjoy their surroundings.
One email described the motto of the trip as “una mas cerveza por favor”, or “one more beer please”.
Another mentioned a list of things an agent planned to bring, including “swag cologne,” ”pimp gear” and cash for prostitutes.
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