September 30, 2014
Mariah Timms
News Writer
Wash DC News
The man who jumped the White House fence on September 19, Omar Gonzalez, made it all the way through the East Room inside the house, not just inside the front doors as was widely reported at the time. Gonzalez, 42, is an Iraq War veteran and was found at the scene to be carrying a knife. The First Family was not in the residence at that time. The new information was given to Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) by whistleblowers within the Secret Service, and comes before an already-scheduled hearing before the House Oversight Committee. Secret Service Director (Julia) Pierson is sitting before that committee giving testimony at time of publication. She has asked that, for security reasons, some of her testimony may be given in a classified setting, which will occur at some point Tuesday. The Secret Service has been commended by some for using “tremendous restraint” in dealing with the incident involving Gonzalez, while other politicians have commented that they should have used more force. Security at the White House needs to find the delicate balance between protecting the president and allowing the public to visit, says Pierson.
