The head of the US Secret Service, tasked with guarding US President Barack Obama, has resigned following several high-profile security lapses.

Julia Pierson offered her resignation to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday.

Joseph Clancy, a former special agent in charge of the Presidential Protective Division of the agency, has been appointed to step in.

The move follows a major breach of the White House security on 19 September.

“Today Julia Pierson, the Director of the United States Secret Service, offered her resignation, and I accepted it,” Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson wrote in a statement.

“I salute her 30 years of distinguished service to the Secret Service and the Nation.”

Obama also expressed his appreciation to Pierson for her long history of public service, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters on Wednesday.

Pierson offered her resignation because “she believed it was in the best interests of the agency to which she has dedicated her career”, Earnest added.

High-ranking members of the US Congress had been calling for Pierson’s resignation in the wake of her testimony before a House oversight committee on Tuesday.

There she acknowledged the Secret Service security plan was “not executed properly” during a recent breach of the White House.

On September 19, suspect Omar Gonzalez, 42, allegedly scaled a fence and gained entry to the famed US residence while carrying a knife.

On Wednesday, Gonzalez pleaded not guilty to charges against him, including entering a restricted building or grounds while carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon.

Prosecutors say he jumped the main fence around the White House and gained entry inside through an unlocked door, then barrelled past a guard and ran into the East Room before being tackled.

http://www.punchng.com/news/us-secret-service-director-resigns/

Yes we ll one day!

That day..where we will take up responsibilities for our negligence and do the needful.....This woman sacrificed 30years of meritorious service...and admit all faults...wow!

Abba Moro..the Immigration service man responsible for the death of innocent Nigerians still in active service..Nawa oooo

When will Nigeria learn this type of leadership. Very soon their health minister or whatever they call it will resign because of Ebola in US.

That's the essence of real Democracy. What is practiced in Nigeria is Kleptocracy where the public officials duty is corruption and mismanagement . Difference between first world and third world. Taking responsibility for your actions, is not in Nigeria's government officials dictionary.

"One day" you say? Keep waiting.

She took full responsibility for the breach of security at the white house and resigned. However some sycophants didn't have to cry foul cos she's from their ethnic group or because she's a christian or Muslim.

By implication, her successor knows he/she must be up nd doing. That's how societies progress.

19 graduates lost their lives in the last NIS Recruitment exercise and abba moro still feeds fat on tax payers money.

Allison madueke still went ahead to spend billions of Naira on serving her official jet despite the scandalous Subsidy scam that unfolded during her tenure but 2day she's a close confidant of d president..

If u dare ask questions, u r either a member of apc or u are an enemy of the President.

Anyway the whole thing is about to change.

adioolayi: That day..where we will take up responsibilities for our negligence and do the needful.....This woman sacrificed 30years of meritorious service...and admit all faults...wow!

[size=16pt]Abba Moro..the Immigration service man responsible for the death of innocent Nigerians still in active service..Nawa oooo[/size]

The manner with which GEJ shields his indicted political associates leaves a lot to be desired.