Support for the Secret Service director eroded in Congress on Wednesday after the disclosure that an armed man came within inches of President Barack Obama in an elevator earlier this month.
That lapse was reported by The Washington Post after Director Julia Pierson went before a House committee on Tuesday. She was scolded by members of Congress, including one who suggested she was better at protecting her reputation than at protecting the White House.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, told Fox News Channel on Tuesday night that “it’s time that she be fired by the president of the United States or that she resign.”
And a senior Democrat, Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, told MSNBC on Wednesday morning that he did not “feel comfortable” with Pierson in the job — and couldn’t sleep after what he heard at the hearing. A aide said that Cummings spoke with Pierson on Wednesday morning, that his trust was eroding and that he believes the agency needs an independent review.
IN-DEPTH
- Armed Ex-Con Rode With Obama: Report
- Breach ‘Unacceptable,’ Secret Service Director Testifies
- Who Is the Secret Service Director in the Hot Seat?
