Obama has 'confidence' in Secret Service despite new failures

By Pete Kasperowicz, Pete Kasperowicz

Published December 20, 2015

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Thursday that President Obama still has full confidence in Secret Service Director Joseph Clancy, even after a new report disclosed more security breaches and some lawmakers said it is "in crisis."

"Absolutely he does," Earnest said when asked if Clancy retains Obama's support.

"We've seen the Secret Service encounter some significant challenges in the last couple of years," he said. "But under the leadership of Director Clancy, the Secret Service has worked hard to implement a series of reforms that have strengthened that organization and have enhanced confidence."

On Thursday, reports surfaced that lawmakers are about to release a new report that says the agency allowed several security lapses to take place, including unscreened people walking right up to President Obama.