Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson has reviewed an outside panel’s report on the Secret Service and said it will take time for the agency to implement the group’s recommendations for substantial changes.
Johnson appointed the outside panel in the early fall after a number of security failures came to light, including a man jumping the White House fence and penetrating the ceremonial heart of the White House. DHS is expected to release the panel’s review Thursday afternoon.
“This is not something, in my judgment, based on the recommendations I’ve seen, that can change overnight,” Johnson told MSNBC Thursday. “… There are more fundamental, systemic issues with the Secret Service that I think need to be addressed and cannot be addressed overnight.”
Both Johnson and White House press secretary Josh Earnest said they believe the Secret Service is doing an excellent job in keeping the president and the first family safe.
“Let’s not forget that the Secret Service is the finest protection service in the world,” Johnson said.
“The president does have confidence in the men and women of the Secret Service,” Earnest said Thursday. “They are dedicated professionals that put their lives on the line every day to protect the president, the first family and all of us.”
Earnest also said he doesn’t have a timeline for an announcement of a new permanent Secret Service director. The agency’s former director, Julia Pierson, stepped down in October after several security breaches came to light and halting testimony before Congress. Obama then appointed Joseph Clancy as acting director. Clancy headed the agency’s presidential protection division for several years before becoming director of corporate security for Comcast.
