Man Arrested After Climbing White House Fence
A man was arrested by the U.S. Secret Service outside the White House after he climbed an outer fence on the South Grounds. The incident occurred on February 3 at approximately 4:20 p.m. and was captured on video by witness David Stanley.
Details of the Incident
According to Stanley, the man passed him, shouted an expletive, and proceeded to scale the fence. Rooftop snipers and K9 units quickly responded as Secret Service officers rushed to the scene. The suspect was taken into custody, but his identity has not yet been disclosed.
The Secret Service has not yet confirmed whether the suspect will face charges. However, per agency protocol, officials are reviewing security measures and response tactics related to the incident.
White House Security Measures
The 18-acre White House complex is guarded by uniformed officers, special agents, mission support staff, and advanced security systems. Any breach, even if unsuccessful, prompts an immediate security review to enhance protective operations.
**Note: Video contains some profanity**
WATCH:
Secret Service Review of Butler Rally Attack
In a separate development, an independent panel reviewing the July 13 assassination attempt against then-candidate Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, found “deep flaws” in the Secret Service’s security operations. The panel called for urgent reforms to ensure the agency effectively protects top government officials.
The review highlighted “numerous mistakes” and “systemic issues” that contributed to the security failure at the Butler rally. It warned that without fundamental changes, another similar incident could occur in the future.
Urgent Calls for Reform
The independent panel dedicated its work to Corey Comperatore, who was killed in the shooting, and to James Copenhaver and David Dutch, who were injured. It outlined multiple concerns, including a “lack of critical thinking” by Secret Service personnel, unclear security protocols, and “corrosive cultural attitudes” regarding agency resources.
Leadership decisions, particularly regarding agent selection for high-risk events, were also criticized. The panel stated that failures in security planning and execution at the rally exposed systemic weaknesses within the agency.
Recommendations for Improvement
The report recommended new leadership with outside agency experience and a renewed focus on the Secret Service’s “core protective mission.” It stated that while the agency must be the world’s leading governmental protective organization, the Butler rally attack demonstrated significant shortcomings.
Trump’s Nomination of New Secret Service Director
In response to security concerns, President Donald Trump has nominated Sean Curran, the head of his personal Secret Service detail, as the new director of the U.S. Secret Service. Curran played a key role in protecting Trump during the July 13 attack and was already expected to be appointed to the position.
Trump praised Curran’s appointment in a Truth Social post, calling it an “honor.” The nomination signals an effort to strengthen the agency’s leadership and improve its security effectiveness.