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Two senior Secret Service agents are under investigation after allegations surfaced that they crashed a government car into White House barricades after drinking at a late-night party on March 4, the Washington Post reports. The agents were identified as Mark Connolly, the second-in-command of President Obama’s security detail, and George Ogilvie, a senior supervisor in the agency’s Washington office.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. They Drove Through an Area Where a Suspicious Package Had Been Found
Secret Service Agent Mark Connolly can be seen behind the Obamas, to First Lady Michelle Obama’s right. (Getty)
According to the Washington Post, the car had its flashing lights activated and ran through police tape and crashed into barricades that had been set-up to block an area where a suspicious package had been found. The agents had both showed their badges to try to get through the area, according to the report.
2. On-Duty Officers Wanted to Arrest the Agents
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The Washington Post reported that the officers on duty the night of the incident wanted to arrest the agents and give them sobriety tests, but were ordered by a supervisor to let the agents go home.
According to the Post, it is against regulations to have flashing lights activated when there is no emergency and to drive an agency vehicle after drinking alcohol.
3. The Agents Had Been at a Retirement Party
According to the Post’s report, Connolly and Ogilvie had been at a retirement party for Secret Service spokesman Edwin Donovan.
The party was held at a downtown bar, according to the Post.
4. An Investigation is Underway
Secret Service spokesman Brian Leary said the agency is cooperating with an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General. Leary told the Post:
If misconduct is identified, appropriate action will be taken based on established rules and regulations.
5. The Secret Service Has Faced Several Recent Controversies
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President Obama named Joseph Clancy as the new head of the Secret Service with a directive to cleanup the agency after a string of embarrassing security breaches at the White House. The agency has been under scrutiny from Congress since the incidents were reported.
House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, said his understanding is the two agents were partying in Georgetown when they responded to the suspicious package investigation. Chaffetz told CNN:
Drinking on the job isn’t good at McDonald’s and it certainly isn’t good if you work for the Secret Service. I know there was an incident and it wasn’t pretty. The details of which we need to have flushed out. Our committee will continue its investigation into the Secret Service and add this on to the list of embarrassments.
