New Secret Service Breach: Armed Felon In Elevator With Obama

Secret Service protocols were violated earlier this month when an armed felon was allowed into an elevator with President Obama, a situation that could have potentially put his life in danger.

According to The Washington Post, an armed security contractor with three prior convictions for assault and battery was allowed on an elevator with President Obama during his Sept. 16th trip to Atlanta, where he appeared at the Centers for Disease Control to discuss the United States’ response to the Ebola crisis.

Secret Service agents asked the contractor to stop filming Mr. Obama with a cell phone camera while in the elevator, though he did not comply. After being questioned by Secret Service agents, his criminal history was uncovered, yet it was only when a supervisor for the private security firm spoke with agents that they realized the man had been armed. He was fired from his position on the spot, and agreed to turn over his gun.

The incident is the latest in a string of occurrences which have brought into question the Secret Service’s ability to protect the lives of Mr. Obama and his family. As The Inquisitr previously noted, a man who jumped the fence at the White House on Sept 19th was able to make it deep into the building, stopped by an off duty Secret Service agent at the door of the Green Room.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), who has been a leading congressional critic of the Secret Service, as The Hill notes, spoke to the severity of the security breach, addressing the possible consequences of the encounter.

“You have a convicted felon within arm’s reach of the president and they never did a background check,” He asserted. “Words aren’t strong enough for the outrage I feel for the safety of the President and his family.”

Security contractor with a gun next to the President happened two weeks ago, according to my whistleblower.

— Jason Chaffetz (@jasoninthehouse) September 30, 2014

Chaffetz added: “His life was in danger. This country would be a different world today if he had pulled out his gun.”

Rep. Chaffetz also told The Washington Post he was disgusted when Secret Service whistleblowers revealed their account of the incident to him. The security breach was first reported on Tuesday afternoon by The Washington Examiner, which notes that only Secret Service agents and sworn law enforcement officers are allowed to be armed at a location Mr. Obama visits.

The revelation comes on the same day that Secret Service Director Julia Pierson drew heavy criticism from lawmakers on Capitol Hill during a hearing on security breaches relating to Mr. Obama and his family.

[Images via krem.com and blogspot.com]