U.S. First Responders Association

"Public Safety Serving Our Community Through Training, Tactics & Education"

Two people without invitations crashed President Obama's first White House state dinner, the U.S. Secret Service said Wednesday.

The Secret Service confirmed a Washington Post report that the couple who crashed Tuesday night's dinner were Tareq and Michaele Salahi. The Post described the couple as polo-playing socialites from northern Virginia.

A Secret Service checkpoint "did not follow proper procedures" to determine if the two were on the guest list for the dinner, said Edwin M. Donovan, a Secret Service special agent, in a statement.

Playing down any security threat, Donovan's statement said: "It is important to note that these individuals went through magnetometers and other levels of security, as did all guests attending the dinner."

The incident represents a security breach for the White House at the Obama administration's biggest social event to date. More than 300 guests, including Cabinet members, diplomats and Hollywood celebrities, attended the dinner in honor of visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"The Secret Service has tasked our Office of Professional Responsibility with conducting a comprehensive review of the incident," Donovan's statement said.

Video footage of the dinner showed the couple walking past journalists into the event. On Wednesday, Michaele Salahi's Facebook page included photos of the couple at the dinner, including two pictures with Vice President Joe Biden and another with Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, who was identified on the page as "Ron" Emanuel.


The couple's names did not appear on the guest list distributed Tuesday by the White House.

FOOTNOTE: He the husband is apparently also an aspiring reality show actor....hmmmm..lol

In an e-mail to CNN, Mahogany Jones, who identified herself as a publicist for the Salahis, said the couple had "full clearance to attend the state dinner."

Fran Townsend, a homeland security adviser to former President George W. Bush, said the incident likely involved a breakdown at the "perimeter" security for the event, which is the first checkpoint that guests encounter.

Lying to the Secret Service could bring a felony charge, Townsend said.

Comment

You need to be a member of U.S. First Responders Association to add comments!

Join U.S. First Responders Association

USFRA NAVIGATOR

Problems signing up or signing in
Forgot Your Password? Click here to reset your password.

Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

USFRA FEATURED BLOGGERS

Michele Rosenthal

How to Treat PTSD, Part 2

Posted by Michele Rosenthal on September 2, 2010 at 9:28pm

Janet Liebsch

Creative ways to use grant $$ to educate communities

Posted by Janet Liebsch on September 2, 2010 at 11:42am

Michele Rosenthal

How to treat PTSD, Part 1

Posted by Michele Rosenthal on August 30, 2010 at 9:17am — 2 Comments

Michele Rosenthal

Symptoms of PTSD, Part 3

Posted by Michele Rosenthal on August 26, 2010 at 9:00am

Michele Rosenthal

Symptoms of PTSD, Part 2

Posted by Michele Rosenthal on August 23, 2010 at 1:12pm

EMS FORUM

FyreWebmaster

EMT LODD IN TX - OVERCOME BY CO

Started by FyreWebmaster in EMS LODD Aug 13.

FyreWebmaster

Med. Chopper Crash

Started by FyreWebmaster in EMS LODD Jul 29.

FyreWebmaster

Double EMS LODD-Helo Crash

Started by FyreWebmaster in EMS LODD Jul 25.

FIRE/RESCUE FORUM

FyreWebmaster

Struggling Cities Shut Firehouses in Budget Crisis 1 Reply

Started by FyreWebmaster in Fire News. Last reply by Janet Liebsch Aug 31.

FyreWebmaster

Firefighters get tools to fight arsons

Started by FyreWebmaster in Fire News Aug 31.

brandon

Hardest Part of the Job 3 Replies

Started by brandon in Ask a Firefighter!. Last reply by charles benton mitchell Aug 28.

FyreWebmaster

ECVA short on city funds for fire academy

Started by FyreWebmaster in Fire News Aug 26.

Connect With USFRA!


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

EMS

Online EMT and Paramedic Practice Exams

Fire

Firefighter Exam Practice - Test Your Skills


Healthcare

Medical Continuing Education Online and Correspondence

Law Enforcement


For 30 years the Calibre Press Street Survival Seminar has been the ultimate police training experience. The Street Survival seminar will motivate, inspire, and teach officers not only to survive but to WIN!

Click here for the schedule!

Black Helmet Firefighter Apparel

© 2009 Powered by USFRA.org, 420 N. Kimbrel Ave. Panama City, FL 32404-Badge  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service