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."
Mr. Clancy returned to the agency last year amid the tumult that
engulfed the Secret Service after a series of embarrassing
stumbles, including a September incident in which a man climbed
over the White House fence, knocked back a Secret Service agent and
managed to run into the White House before being subdued.
A panel appointed by Mr. Johnson found an "organization starved
for leadership" after a review was completed in December. The
experts who examined the agency concluded the Secret Service needed
an outsider to lead an organization that it said had become too
insular and stretched beyond its limits.
In December, Mr. Johnson praised the panel's
recommendations.
Mr. Clancy's interim appointment last fall was cheered by
law-enforcement organizations, as well as by White House officials,
who noted that he had the trust of the president and first
lady.
"Joe has earned the respect and admiration of the men and women
of the Secret Service, and as someone who spent years protecting my
family, he's certainly earned mine," Mr. Obama said in his
statement Wednesday.
As acting director, Mr. Clancy conducted an assessment to
determine the cause of recent missteps. He directed White House
ground personnel to undergo additional training, and he pushed for
additional funding for training and equipping the staff.
The White House has requested an 18% increase in the Secret
Service budget with plans to spend more funds on enhanced security
at the White House.
Write to Colleen McCain Nelson at colleen.nelson@wsj.com
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