Top Lawmakers Demand Independent Review of Secret Service

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The top Republican and Democrat on the House’s government watchdog panel asked Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson Friday to conduct a comprehensive external review of the Secret Service, which has been rocked by recent White House security failures leading to the resignation of former Director Julia Pierson.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), the chairman and ranking member of the House Oversight Committee respectively, wrote a joint letter to Johnson saying that Pierson’s resignation “by no means resolves” the questions they have regarding the agency. They asked the investigation to go “well beyond” the September 19 incident, in which 42 year-old Iraq veteran Omar Gonzalez jumped over the White House fence and ran into the President’s mansion wielding a knife.

“The panel should review not only recent security lapses, but the full range of management, personnel, training, and cultural issues that contribute to the root causes of these security failures,” wrote Issa and Cummings. “The panel should examine the process by which the Secret Service communicates with Congress, the press, the American people, and the President himself, to ensure that information the agency provides is accurate and timely.”

After Pierson resigned Wednesday following a brutal congressional hearing before the Oversight committee on Tuesday, Johnson announced that Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas would lead an internal review of the Secret Service. He also said that another panel of independent experts would be created to submit by mid-December a list of potential new directors and recommendations for reforming White House security procedures. In the interim, Johnson has named Secret Service veteran Joseph Clancy as acting Director.

PHOTOS: Go Behind the Scenes with Joe Clancy, the New Director of the Secret Service

Barack Obama, Reggie Love
Clancy, left, crosses Pennsylvania Avenue with President Barack Obama, and Obama's aide Reggie Love, rear, while walking back to the White House in Washington D.C., on March 1, 2010. Charles Dharapak—AP
President Barack Obama departs Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.Photo by Brooks Kraft/Corbis
Clancy holds the door for Barack Obama as the President departs Andrews Air Force Base in Md. on Feb. 12, 2009. Brooks Kraft—Corbis
President Barack Obama greets supporters at the airport Fort Meyers, Florida.Photo by Brooks Kraft/Corbis
President Barack Obama greets supporters at the Fort Meyers airport in Florida, as Clancy stands watch behind the President's left shoulder, Feb. 10, 2009. Brooks Kraft—Corbis
Obama Inauguration
Blink and you might miss him, but here's Clancy again, flanking President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama as they wave to crowds along the inaugural parade route in Washington D.C. on Jan. 20, 2009. Charles Dharapak—AP
Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Sasha Obama, Malia Obama, Joseph Clancy
Clancy is seen speaking over the radio into his palm mic as he glances in the camera's direction as President Barack Obama and his family walk back to the White House after attending St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington D.C. on Oct. 11, 2009.Susan Walsh—AP
U.S. President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron Marine One arrive in Toronto
Clancy braves the rain as umbrella-carrying President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron walk from Marine One in Toronto, after their flight from the G8 Summit to the G20 Summit on June 26, 2010. Jason Reed—Reuters
President Barack Obama speaks at the Arizona State University commencement ceremony at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, ArizPhoto by Brooks Kraft/Corbis
Clancy blends in on stage as Obama speaks at the Arizona State University commencement ceremony at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on May 13, 2009.Brooks Kraft—Corbis
President Barack Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., are accompanied by Col. Howard Belote as they look at solar panels at Nellis Air Force Base in NevadaPhoto by Brooks Kraft/Corbis
Solar panels make good camouflage as Clancy and another Secret Service agent accompany the President and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, on May 27, 2009.Brooks Kraft—Corbis
Barack Obama
President Barack Obama jogs up the steps to speak at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee and Sen. Barbara Boxer, with Clancy watching closely from the wings, at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, April 19, 2010.Alex Brandon—AP
US President Barack Obama (C) shakes han
Eyeing those extended arms warily, Clancy keeps hold on President Barack Obama as he shakes hands with people outside of the Top Pot Doughnuts shop in Seattle on Oct. 21, 2010.Jim Watson—AFP/Getty Images
Obama Holds Discussion On Economy At Private Home In Ohio
Clancy in the foreground, as Obama is reflected in a garage window in a backyard at the Weithman family home on Aug 18, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio.Mike Munden—Getty Images
Barack Obama, Bill Clinton
Clancy scans the crowd seated just behind Obama and former President Bill Clinton as the two talk at a memorial service for Sen. Robert Byrd on July 2, 2010, at the Capitol in Charleston, WV.Charles Dharapak—AP
President Barack Obama holds hands with daughter, Sasha, as they walk away from Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House after arriving home from their vacation in Hawaii, January 4, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.
President Barack Obama holds hands with daughter Sasha as they walk away from Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington D.C. after arriving home from their vacation in Hawaii, with Clancy facing outward nearby, on Jan. 4, 2010. Lawrence Jackson—The White House
President Barack Obama waves as he arrives at the White House in Washington D.C. on Oct. 15, 2010.
With hands folded, Clancy watches the press watching President Barack Obama wave as he arrives at the White House in Washington D.C. on Oct. 15, 2010.Nicholas Kamm—AFP/Getty Images
President Barack Obama meets with NCTC Director Michael Leiter, center right, leadership and analysts in the Secure Video Teleconference Room at the National Counterterrorism Center in McLean, Va, Oct. 6, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.
President Barack Obama meets with NCTC Director Michael Leiter, center right, leadership and analysts in the Secure Video Teleconference Room at the National Counterterrorism Center in McLean, Va, on Oct. 6, 2009. Samantha Appleton—The White House
National Security Advisor General James Jones, left, and USSS Special Agent in Charge Joe Clancy coordinate arrival details by telephone for President Barack Obama's visit to Baghdad on April 7, 2009. Joined also by White House Senior Advisor David Axelrod; Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel; Jim Messina, Deputy Chief of Staff; White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, and National Security Counsel Chief of Staff Mark Lippert, background-right. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
National Security Advisor General James Jones, left, and Clancy coordinate arrival details by telephone for President Barack Obama's visit to Baghdad on April 7, 2009. Pete Souza—The White House
President Barack Obama talks to the media aboard Air Force One upon arrival in Springfield, ILPhoto by Brooks Kraft/Corbis
A flood of bright lights fall on Clancy and other agents as the President waves to press watching the arrival of Air Force One in Springfield, Ill. on Feb. 12, 2009.Brooks Kraft—Corbis
Barack Obama
Clancy has President Barack Obama's back during a frenzied meet-and-greet with the audience after speaking about health care reform at the Patriot Center at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. on March 19, 2010. Charles Dharapak—AP
President Barack Obama boards Air Force One at Buckley Air Force Base in Denver, Colo., en route to Las Vegas, Nev., Feb. 18, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.
Clancy stands watch as the President boards Air Force One at Buckley Air Force Base in Denver, Colo., en route to Las Vegas, Nev. on Feb. 18, 2010.Pete Souza—The White House

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