The U.S. Secret Service has a new acting director, following the abrupt resignation of the agency's director, after two major security lapses that could have put the president in danger.
Julia Pierson resigned on Wednesday, nearly two weeks after a man jumped a fence, eluded security, and entered the White House carrying a knife.
Josh Earnest, White House Press Secretary said: "Over the last several days, we've seen recent and accumulating reports raising questions about the performance of the agency. And the president concluded that new leadership of that agency was required."
The man who breached White House security (Omar Gonzalez) pleaded guilty to related charges in Washington court Wednesday.
The day before, Pierson testified before a congressional committee about the security failure. She said: "It's clear that our security plan was not properly executed. This is unacceptable and I take full responsibility. And I will make sure that is does not happen again."
Pierson's promise to fix the service's shortcomings was not enough to save her job, after it was also revealed President Obama unknowingly shared an elevator in Atlanta last month with armed guard not authorized to be around him
The Homeland Security chief Jeh Johnson has named retired special agent, Joseph Clancy, as acting Secret Service Director, in charge of presidential protection.