By Colleen McCain Nelson
President Barack Obama on Wednesday named Joseph Clancy to lead
the Secret Service, elevating the agency's interim chief to become
its permanent director as the organization continues to grapple
with the fallout from a series of high-profile security breaches
and missteps.
While a panel of outside experts had recommended looking beyond
the Secret Service's ranks for new leadership, the president chose
a trusted insider in Mr. Clancy, who led the division that protects
Mr. Obama during the first two years of the president's tenure.
Mr. Clancy has served as interim director since October, when
then-director Julia Pierson resigned under pressure. Mr. Clancy is
a 27-year veteran of the Secret Service. After retiring from the
Secret Service in 2011, Mr. Clancy worked as chief of security at
Comcast Corp.
He was considered for the organization's top job in 2013 before
pulling his name from consideration, according to a person familiar
with the matter.
Mr. Obama called Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson
Wednesday morning to inform him of the decision before calling Mr.
Clancy.
"Joe has done an outstanding job leading the Secret Service
since he returned at my request in October of last year," the
president said in a statement. "He understands the challenges
facing the agency and has proven that he's not afraid to make the
tough decisions necessary to build and maintain the Agency's
ability to carry out its mission."
Write to Colleen McCain Nelson at colleen.nelson@wsj.com
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