The White House remains secure: Secret Service

As early as 1860, Congress recognized the need to safeguard the White House. In 1930, this responsibility was assigned to the U.S. Secret Service. Today, the White House complex encompasses 18 acres and includes multiple office buildings.

Every year, thousands enter or pass the grounds, making their way through a multi­layered security system that includes uniformed officers, tactical personnel, K-9 units and technological systems. The Secret Service operates this system 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

We are proud of the work we do — including how we respond to our mistakes. In the few instances in which the Secret Service performs at less than 100%, the agency is uncompromising in its commitment to overcoming, adapting and improving.

As threats evolve, so do our methods. After the events of March 10, we quickly initiated a review of the incident, identified the human error involved, and embarked on a course of corrective action.

Fix that White House fence: Our view

The White House complex is, and remains, secure.

When the White House fence was breached in September 2014, the Secret Service brought together a strong coalition of partners to help us improve security operations while continuing to give the American public access to the people’s house.

We continue to prioritize agency staffing, training and technological enhancements.

The most visible sign of these enhancements is the replacement of the historical White House fence. We worked with the National Park Service, the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission to balance our security needs with the necessary preservation of aesthetics. A construction contract is expected to be awarded later this year.

“Worthy of Trust and Confidence” is more than just our motto. It is the principle that guides the demanding work performed by the men and women of the U.S. Secret Service day in and day out, in Washington, across the nation and around the globe.

Acting Director William J. Callahan submitted this on behalf of the men and women of the Secret Service.