The Secret Service has responded to claims agents were responsible for a ‘security lapse’ following reports an armed man approached former president Barack Obama’s motorcade.
Obama was being guarded by his protective detail inside a black SUV on a trip to LA when an armed man said he approached the vehicle, according to TMZ
The unidentified man was there checking on the situation in his capacity as a security guard for the bar mitzvah, after being informed there were federal agents stationed outside, the report stated.
Upon approaching, he says he came across the government vehicle, then snapped an image of it, only to see the former president seated in the passenger side of the vehicle.
He said he quickly walked away, aware that he was carrying a weapon, which might be perceived as a threat by Obama’s protective detail.
The agency is on alert for threats after two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump, and has been tightening up presidential protection. (The Senate on Tuesday passed legislation to boost Secret Service protection for federal candidates).
The Secret Service has responded to claims agents were responsible for a ‘security lapse’ following reports an armed man approached former president Barack Obama’s motorcade
The Secret Service later denied claims there was a breach and no one was in the vehicle at the time.
‘The Secret Service cannot provide the details on our means and methods of protection, but we can confirm that at no time were any Secret Service protectees in the vehicle while the individual was walking down the alleyway,’ a spokesman told Newsweek.
‘These claims are inaccurate’.
According to the TMZ report, the man who didn’t want his name used, says he greeted the agents protecting Obama, then returned to the bar mitzvah.
Later, he says his boss asked him to provide his credentials and concealed carry permit for review, the outlet reported – an indication Obama’s guards felt the need to follow up.
The president’s adult daughters Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23, were joining their dad for dinner at Mother Wolf, rated a top upscale pizza restaurant.
Even though he meant no harm, the unidentified guard indicated his ability to get close to the former president with a weapon was a lapse. He said of his interactions with the agents on the detail, ‘I think they were obviously embarrassed by the situation.’
The office of the former president declined to comment. DailyMail.com has sought comment from the Secret Service, which was the subject of a scathing report by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on security failures leading up to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump at his Butler, Pennsylvania rally.
The unidentified security guard said he approached Obama’s SUV while possessing a concealed weapon, which he was licensed to carry
Daughters Malia and Sasha Obama attended the event at restaurant Mother Wolf in Hollywood
The Obama daughters kept a low profile at the event
The interaction involving Obama’s detail happened at 7:30 on September 21st.
The event happened hours after Biden hosted his first solo fundraiser for Vice President Kamala Harris, helping haul in $4 million for her presidential campaign.
That event was held at the home of former Obama ambassador to Spain James Costos and his partner Michael Smith,
James Costos, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Spain and Andorra under Obama, and his partner, Michael S. Smith, who served as White House decorator under Obama.
Obama spoke at the Democratic Convention, mocking Trump’s ‘weird obsession with crowd sizes,’ and members of his former campaign team were among the most vocal voices pushing President Biden to step aside.