Washington, D.C. — A man was taken into custody by the U.S. Secret Service after climbing over the outer fence on the South Grounds of the White House on February 3 around 4:20 p.m. The dramatic incident was caught on video by witness David Stanley, who later shared the footage on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Stanley described the moment the man walked past him, shouted “F*** it,” and began scaling the fence. Within moments, Secret Service officers rushed to the scene, supported by K9 units and rooftop snipers who took strategic positions.
“Rooftop snipers were scurrying around and dogs were racing across the lawn,” Stanley recounted.
The suspect’s identity and motives have not yet been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether formal charges have been filed. The Secret Service has confirmed that it is conducting a review of protective operations in response to the breach.
Security Concerns After Past Failures
This latest incident adds to ongoing scrutiny of the Secret Service following the July 13, 2024 attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. An independent review panel recently released a scathing report identifying “deep flaws” within the agency.
The panel cited multiple failures in critical thinking, unclear leadership roles, and what it described as a “corrosive culture” that contributed to the July 13 breach. The report emphasized the need for fundamental reform within the agency.
“The Secret Service must be the world’s leading protective agency. The events in Butler show that, currently, it is not,” the report stated.
The panel dedicated its findings to Corey Comperatore, who was killed in the Butler attack, and to injured survivors James Copenhaver and David Dutch.
Leadership Shake-Up: Trump Nominates New Secret Service Director
In a move likely tied to these ongoing concerns, President Donald Trump has nominated Sean Curran, the head of his personal security detail, to serve as Director of the U.S. Secret Service. Curran is credited with playing a key role in shielding Trump during the assassination attempt and has been widely expected to take on the leadership role.
Trump called the nomination an “honor” in a post on Truth Social.
With both new incidents and historic failures drawing national attention, the future of the Secret Service appears headed for major internal changes and renewed public scrutiny.
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