INDIANAPOLIS — Senator Dan Coats (R-Ind.), the ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding the resignation of Secret Service Director Julia Pierson:
“As ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I will carefully evaluate the nomination of the next Secret Service Director.”
“The Secret Service must improve its operations to ensure that past security lapses are not repeated. The security of the president is a top priority and should never be in question.”
Pierson was the first female director of the Secret Service and led the agency since March 2013.
The resignation follows security mishaps at the White House on September 19 and other recent issues, including an incident two weeks ago when President Barack Obama was in an elevator with an armed contractor who had two prior assault convictions.
Retired Secret Service Agent Joseph Clancy has been appointed as interim director.
