Secret Service director says agency’s morale is low

WASHINGTON – The acting director of the Secret Service warned lawmakers Wednesday of “potentially dire consequences” from lowered morale and operational security at the agency. He vowed to do better.

Joseph Clancy offered the sobering assessment in testimony to the House Judiciary Committee, making his first appearance on Capitol Hill since his appointment last month to lead the embattled agency. The Secret Service has suffered a string of embarrassments, including a fence jumper who made it into the White House, which led to the resignation of its previous director.

Clancy acknowledged that the agency has fallen short of its goal of perfection. He said that being in the spotlight has had detrimental effects on employee morale and operational security, “both with potentially dire consequences.”

An internal review last week detailed a string of failures that allowed fence jumper Omar Gonzalez to make it all the way into the East Room on Sept. 19.

Clancy said he’s conducting a top-to-bottom assessment and is establishing new procedures, improving communications and considering other changes, including strengthening the White House fence.