Secret Service director Julia Pierson resigns
07:14, 2 October 2014
LONDON. KAZINFORM 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.
A day earlier, she faced angry questions in Congress about a major breach of White House security.
News of another incident involving an armed man allowed in a lift with Mr Obama compounded calls for her to go.
"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, BBC News reports.
"I salute her 30 years of distinguished service to the Secret Service and the Nation."