In what is being described as a major security lapse, an armed security guard was able to approach former President Barack Obama's SUV while he dined in Los Angeles on September 21. The incident, which occurred outside the upscale restaurant Mother Wolf, has raised concerns about the effectiveness of Secret Service protocols, especially in light of recent threats to high-profile political figures.
According to a report by TMZ, the unidentified security guard, working a nearby bar mitzvah, approached the black SUV after being alerted that federal agents were stationed nearby. Upon approaching the vehicle, the guard said he noticed two men, later confirmed to be Secret Service agents, and then turned to see the former president seated in the SUV, working on a laptop. Realizing he was armed, the guard panicked and quickly moved away from the vehicle, concerned that his weapon could be perceived as a threat by Obama's protective detail.
The Secret Service has since responded to these claims, with a spokesperson telling Newsweek, "At no time were any Secret Service protectees in the vehicle while the individual was walking down the alleyway." The agency emphasized that while it cannot disclose specific security measures, the claims made about the security breach are "inaccurate."
Despite the agency's denial, the guard insists that he came within inches of the former president and was able to snap a photo of the vehicle before recognizing the potential danger of his proximity. He later returned to the bar mitzvah, only to be asked by his boss to provide his credentials and concealed carry permit to the Secret Service for review. According to the guard, "I think they were obviously embarrassed by the situation."
The timing of the incident has drawn particular attention, given the recent scrutiny of the Secret Service following two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania and Florida. In both cases, the agency was criticized for lapses in its protective measures, leading to the resignation of then-Director Kimberly Cheatle. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee recently released a report highlighting these failures, emphasizing the need for stricter security protocols.
As for the Los Angeles incident, it occurred just hours after President Joe Biden hosted a fundraiser for Vice President Kamala Harris, raising $4 million for her 2024 presidential campaign. Obama, who was dining with his daughters Malia and Sasha, had no official events planned for the evening, further underscoring the relaxed nature of the situation and possibly contributing to the lapse in security.
This incident follows a string of concerns regarding the Secret Service's ability to effectively protect former presidents and other high-profile political figures. In July, a gunman grazed former President Trump's ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, leading to widespread criticism of the agency's advance coordination and security planning. Five Secret Service agents were placed on leave following that incident, and another attempted assassination was thwarted in Florida just weeks later when a would-be assassin was found hiding with a rifle near one of Trump's golf outings.
The guard involved in the Obama incident stated that, despite his unintentional approach, the lack of agents covering the rear of the SUV and the stairwell that led him to the vehicle was a significant oversight. "It was definitely a security lapse on their part," the guard told TMZ. "There was no one on the backside of the SUV, nor covering the stairwell. I easily could have tried to open the door had I been someone trying to harm Obama."
While the Secret Service continues to deny the claims of a breach, the incident has sparked renewed concern about the agency's preparedness in protecting high-profile figures. The office of former President Obama declined to comment on the matter, and the Secret Service has yet to provide further details.
The agency is already under pressure to improve its protocols, especially with a looming presidential election and heightened security concerns surrounding political candidates. Legislation aimed at boosting Secret Service protection for federal candidates has recently passed in the Senate, reflecting the growing need for enhanced security measures.
