The castle of American government, known as The White House is not as protected as citizens would like to believe. Earlier reports state that the intruder Omar J. Gonzalez, only made it several steps within vestibule. Though now there are more frightening reports entailing that Gonzalez, 42, made it further then previously reported.
Armed only with a knife, Gonzalez, leapt over the White House fence, crossed the yard, where he gained access to the North Portico. According to reports, he overpowered security and gained access to the East Room before he was captured and detained by Secret Service officials.
The question is, how was Gonzalez able to gain access to supposedly one of the most secure mansions in the United States? Specific protocols were not met by Secret Service officer’s, such as specific lock downs of White House areas. There was a lack of communication between officials that Gonzalez was even on the premises, as well as an alarm box that had been muted that could have alerted security.
Due to several accounts of the incident there will be a congressional hearing Tuesday, where lawmakers intend to question Director Julia Pierson, head of the Secret Service. The hearing will be addressing several incidents of security within the past few years as there have been several disgraceful moments from the Secret Service including more fence jumpers, break-ins and reports of prostitutes.
Gonzalez was discovered in Virginia this past July with a sawed off shotgun and a map of Washington with the White House circled, stuffed into a bible. One month later, he was spotted along the south fence of the premises and questioned. Security found a hatchet but there were no signs of any firearms. No arrest was made.
Featured image via facebook/WhiteHouse
