US Secret Service chief quits over security breaches

The US Secret Service director resigned, paying the price for a string of security lapses by the elite presidential protection branch, including one in which an armed intruder ran into the White House.

Julia Pierson stepped down yesterday a day after enduring a withering public grilling by lawmakers, who pronounced themselves baffled at failures by Secret Service agents, another of which saw an armed former felon get on an elevator with President Barack Obama.

Pierson had been brought into the agency as a new broom after the reputation of its sharp-suited agents took a hit from drinking and prostitution scandals.

But she leaves with the Secret Service facing searching questions from critics who have even warned the lives of the president and his family are not safe, due to several high-profile failures.

Bowing to rising political pressure, Pierson offered her resignation and it was accepted by Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson.

Johnson appointed Joseph Clancy -- who formerly headed the presidential protection branch of the Secret Service as an interim replacement.

An independent panel will be named to probe a September 19 incident, which saw knife-carrying homeless US army veteran Omar Gonzalez allegedly jump the White House fence and run into the residence.

Gonzalez pleaded not guilty yesterday to three counts including unlawfully entering a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon.

In another incident last month, an armed security contractor with a criminal record was allowed into an elevator with Obama when he visited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.

In another eye-opening development, Obama spokesman Josh Earnest said yesterday the presidency had only been made aware of the full circumstances of the Atlanta incident shortly before it appeared in a report on Tuesday.

Pierson's sullen performance before angry lawmakers on Tuesday did little to shield her agency.

"It's clear that our security plan was not properly executed," Pierson said of the September 19 intrusion.

"This is unacceptable and I take full responsibility. And I will make sure that it does not happen again."

Following the hearing, Pierson was besieged by calls for her departure by angry lawmakers, even as the White House said it still had confidence in her.