President Barack Obama needs to appoint a Secret Service director from the outside who does not tow the bureaucratic line that has plagued the agency and resulted in embarrassing security breaches, author and Secret Service expert Ron Kessler said Friday on "America’s Forum" on
Newsmax TV.
"Bring in a new director from the outside who is not part of the culture of Secret Service management, which rewards agents who go along, don't report problems, don't report deficiencies and punishes agents who do report problems and do point out deficiencies, including potential threats," he said. "Also, someone who is not beholden to interests within the agency."
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In addition to a new director, Kessler said the Secret Service needs to remove a lot of its top managers, beef up White House security and expand the periphery.
Former Director Julia Pierson resigned Wednesday after a series of security lapses, most recently a knife-carrying intruder who made his way inside the White House on Sept. 19.
The agency began to decline in 2003, when it fell under the umbrella of the Homeland Security Department, according to Kessler, best-selling author of
"The First Family Detail: Secret Service Agents Reveal the Hidden Lives of the Presidents."
"It became more political, compliant and spineless when it came to White House requests to let people into events without magnetometer or metal detection screenings," he noted.
"It's unbelievable, it's like letting passengers into an airplane without metal detection screening. You could have five terrorists come in with grenades and take out the president. You bring in someone who knows what he/she is doing, knows how to manage, demands honesty, is accessible and does not cover up problems, that's what you need."
The agency has layers of dysfunction, including an attitude of "make do with less."
"They're actually proud to not spend money," he said. "In the case of the Secret Service, their budget is ridiculous compared to their duties. Their total budget is $1.5 billion a year and besides protecting the president, vice president and others, it also investigates counterfeiting and financial crimes. When the Secret Service was approached about upgrading its devices for protecting intruders at the White House and weapons of mass destruction with the latest technology, the answer from the Secret Service was no, it costs too much.
"We're talking about protecting democracy because if you have an assassination, you nullify democracy. Everywhere you look in this agency there are problems except with the rank-and-file agents. They're so upset about the management and they are relieved that Julia Pierson has been removed."
Interim Director Joseph Clancy is part of the old culture, according to Kessler, which is "punitive and suppresses dissent." He expects a permanent director to be appointed by December and recommends someone who is a good administrator.
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