Third Gate-Crasher Discovered at White House State Dinner
The United States Secret Service has discovered a third gate-crasher at the November 24, 2009, State Dinner that honored Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh – a dinner perhaps best known for the allegedly gate-crashing Salahis.
“The Secret Service's investigation into the security events surrounding the Indian State Dinner on November 24, 2009, has revealed that a third individual, who was not on the White House guest list, entered the State Dinner,” a statement from the US Secret Service reads.
The Secret Service says that as of right now “there is nothing to indicate that this individual went through the receiving line” or had contact with President and First Lady Obama, unlike the Salahis, who famously shook hands with the president.
Ed Donovan, a spokesman for the US Secret Service, said he would not provide the name of the individual in question.
While Secret Service officials assumed full blame for the presence at that dinner of the now-infamous Tareq and Michaele Salahi, they are blaming the presence of this third gate-crasher on the U.S. State Department.
The statement says that the “subject traveled from a local hotel, where the official Indian delegation was staying, and arrived at the dinner with the group, which was under the responsibility of the Department of State. This individual went through all required security measures along with the rest of the official delegation at the hotel, and boarded a bus/van with the delegation guests en route to the White House.”
For some reason this individual — unlike the other members of the official Indian delegation – was not entered into the Worker And Visitor Entrance System (WAVES), the security list for those who enter the White House.
The Secret Service says that procedural changes have already been implemented to address whatever holes exist in the system for foreign delegations under the responsibility of Department of State to enter facilities secured by the Secret Service.
Donovan told ABC News he was limiting information about this incident to that provided in the press release because the matter is a criminal investigation.
The Secret Service is part of the Department of Homeland Security, which has found itself a tad embattled due to security breaches leading to the presence of Umar Farouq Abdulmutallab on Northwest Flight 253 on Christmas Day.
– jpt

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Sen. DeMint: GOP Race Could Go Until Convention
Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
Now, if only the Republicans could “Gate Crash” the informal closed door Democrat-ONLY health care negotiations being planned.
Why do Democrats fear Republican representation at these talks?
What happened to pledges made by Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama during the last two elections when they demanded an end to backroom deals made in secret?
What happened to Obama’s pledge to televise health care negotiations on C-SPAN?
Posted by: The Audacity of Golf | January 4, 2010, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
I just can’t get too worked up about this. Sure, fix the procedures and lock down state dinners. Duh.
But we’re not a monarchy or dictatorship. Our Presidents aren’t locked away in a bunker or castle somewhere, they are exposed to the public. We don’t need nor want an Iraq-esque green zone in the US. Our Presidents take risks due to this, and the brave men and women of the Secret Service take those risks too. But that is an important aspect of our nation, where our highest leader will be just another citizen in 4 to 8 years.
Posted by: jhw539 | January 4, 2010, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
So far the only change I’m feeling is less safe! It’s one embarrassment after another. It has to be W’s fault, whom else’s could it be?
Posted by: RKH | January 4, 2010, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
Salahis, the Christmas bomber, yesterday’s Newark security breach, now a third person at the WH state dinner.
Whether right or wrong this doesn’t bode well for this administration. All these obvious breaches reflect on the President.
Posted by: Denbo | January 4, 2010, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm
The system worked….oh wait…..
Posted by: jennifert7 | January 4, 2010, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
We owed our guests from India better than this. We owe our President better than this.
This was just days away from the anniversary of the attacks on Mumbai, and an attack on a US/India State dinner would have been both tempting and a huge PR coup.
Posted by: MayBee | January 4, 2010, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm
Why do Democrats fear Republican representation at these talks?
The Audacity of Golf | Jan 4, 2010 1:50:56 PM
Because through their actions they have made abundantly clear that there is no possible concession they will accept to vote yes on this bill. The drawn out ‘Gang of Six’ negotiations in the Senate made this abundantly clear, as did the House vote against the stimulus (even after almost 10% of the total funding was reassigned by an accepted REPUBLICAN amendment to an upper middle class tax break).
Sorta why Iranian President Ahmadinejad isn’t invited to interfaith dialogues between Jews and Christians.
Posted by: jhw539 | January 4, 2010, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
this admin sucks big time.
Posted by: partyon | January 4, 2010, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm
Sweeeet! I wouldn’t mind getting some of the fancy food at these taxpayer boondoggles.
Posted by: Huh | January 4, 2010, 2:25 pm 2:25 pm
“Ed Donovan, a spokesman for the US Secret Service, said he would not provide the name of the individual in question.”
*************************
Transparency strikes again.
Reverend Wright? Bill Ayers? Joe Biden?
Posted by: Bob | January 4, 2010, 2:26 pm 2:26 pm
Why on earth can’t an invitation be sent out with a watermark or something on it to authenticate it and the guest HAS to have it to get in?………..Is that really such a difficult thing to do?
Posted by: Sue | January 4, 2010, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
B+ (good and solid) – Pookie is wee wee’d up, but still a B+
Posted by: Carmen | January 4, 2010, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
Wow – can’t wait for this inept admin to handle my medical situations – golly gee willikers they are sooooo smart and clean and articulate.
Posted by: Kristen | January 4, 2010, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm
Why do Democrats fear Republican representation at these talks?
The Audacity of Golf | Jan 4, 2010 1:50:56 PM
Because through their actions they have made abundantly clear that there is no possible concession they will accept to vote yes on this bill. The drawn out ‘Gang of Six’ negotiations in the Senate made this abundantly clear, as did the House vote against the stimulus (even after almost 10% of the total funding was reassigned by an accepted REPUBLICAN amendment to an upper middle class tax break).
Sorta why Iranian President Ahmadinejad isn’t invited to interfaith dialogues between Jews and Christians.
________________________________
Heheheh!
Posted by: tierra | January 4, 2010, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm
What happened to pledges made by Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama during the last two elections when they demanded an end to backroom deals made in secret?
Posted by: The Audacity of Golf
—————————————-
You didn’t really believe that did you? 3 pledges by 3 marxist?
and now the constitution pushed aside for government OWNED healthcare…. 4th 5th and 10th amendents
Posted by: Wake me up when bodies start falling from the sky | January 4, 2010, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
What happened to pledges made by Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama during the last two elections when they demanded an end to backroom deals made in secret?
______________________________
As it turns out, they’re just following proper and allowable procedure.
And seriously, dealing with the Republicans is a joke – all the Republicans have done all year is whine, bicker, disrupt and suck their thumbs.
Posted by: tierra | January 4, 2010, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
Speaking as a former Govt. employee, I can tell you that different Govt. offices/agencies have no written requirements or orders to communicate
or coordinate with each other. They each independently do their own thing, and dont have to tell each other what they’re doing.
Posted by: stan | January 4, 2010, 3:07 pm 3:07 pm
4 U.S. Troops Killed in Afghan Roadside Bomb…. Iran gets 4 more…media and Obama silent.
Posted by: Wake me up when bodies start falling from the sky | January 4, 2010, 3:14 pm 3:14 pm
Temps Plunge to Record as Cold Snap Freezes North, East States…
CHILL MAP…
Vermont sets ‘all-time record for one snowstorm’…
Iowa temps ‘a solid 30 degrees below normal’…
Power goes out at Reagan National outside DC…
Seoul buried in heaviest snowfall in 70 years…
Peru’s mountain people ‘face extinction because of cold conditions’…
Beijing — coldest in 40 years…
World copes with Arctic weather…
—————————————- AL? AL? AL? Where are ya AL?…trying to keep warm?
Posted by: Wake me up when bodies start falling from the sky | January 4, 2010, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
TSA nominee misled Congress about accessing confidential records…
White House defends…
—————————————-
What do you expect from this regime?
Posted by: Wake me up when bodies start falling from the sky | January 4, 2010, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
Who is the mystery uninvited guest? Another Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner moment for the Secret Service
Posted by: Bob | January 4, 2010, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm
Obama can not even protect the White House Front Door so how can he ensure our protection inthe United States, which is his #1 priority..he can’t…Obama is a complete incompetent diaster.
Posted by: Peter King | January 4, 2010, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm
I went outside and it seems cool today; I guess global warming can’t be true then. Right?
Posted by: tierra | January 4, 2010, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm
The statement says that the “subject traveled from a local hotel, where the official Indian delegation was staying, and arrived at the dinner with the group, which was under the responsibility of the Department of State.
====
This is why you have redundancy in security procedures.
The system needs to be set up to stop people from making mistakes they don’t know they are making.
Posted by: MayBee | January 4, 2010, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm
I really don’t care!
Posted by: LongT | January 4, 2010, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
Obama = incompetent
Posted by: CW | January 4, 2010, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
They are JUST NOW discovering that there was a 3rd gate crasher, almost 6 weeks after the dinner? Wow, great security, huh? If I was Obama, I would be fearing for my safety right now, considering the idiots he has protecting him.
Posted by: tom | January 4, 2010, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
O= One
B = Bad
A = Ass
M = Mistake
A = America
Posted by: sara@st.pete | January 4, 2010, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm
Anybody else getting the impression the White House is being run by a bunch of frat boys? The incompetence is more widespread than even I thought.
Posted by: MizFW | January 4, 2010, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm
All Hail Obama!
All Hail the State!
Am I doing it right, tierra?
Posted by: JamesJ | January 4, 2010, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm
Geez. Get your act together, people! The thing that scares me the most is that these people (Secret Service) and Dept of State will integrate their systems so they can really check things and then suddenly find themselves compromised by a malicious hacker, with tragic results. Jack Bauer, where are you when we need you?
Posted by: Tom in Texas | January 4, 2010, 3:59 pm 3:59 pm
I wonder what flavor snowcone Obama had today?
Posted by: clr | January 4, 2010, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm
Well the department of homeland insecurity seem pretty incompetent.
It’s not the president, it’s the president’s MEN that are at fault.
But most people seem to stupid to spot that, turning it into a political ad hominem attack.
Posted by: PAul | January 4, 2010, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm
I’m surprised that India is not enraged with us for putting their PM in danger!
Posted by: Elle | January 4, 2010, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm
“I went outside and it seems cool today; I guess global warming can’t be true then. Right?”
No, it is not true because scientists used tricks to hide the decline of temps, dumping some and only using selected data which confirmed their predetermined theory.
(BTW ~ Even Al Gore calls it “Climate Change” now that people are freezing to death in Peru and India.)
It’s not true because Al Gore and his cronies lied and hid data to enrich themselves through research money, UN redistribution of wealth schemes, and carbon credit scams. They had such a large money stake in fooling and scaring people that they skewed their data in a most unscientific way.
It’s not true because Global Warming (I’ll use your word) is based on junk science, peer pressure and fear mongering.
It’s not true because the earth has gone through many changes in climate over the millions of years of its existence and none of it was man-made.
(BYW ~ There is no Basal Body Temp for the earth.)
Global Warming isn’t true but it is true that it is very cold in many places this week.
Posted by: The Audacity of Copenhagen | January 4, 2010, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
Obama was a huge MISTAKE
Posted by: CW | January 4, 2010, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm
The Secret Service is made up of career service officers. They ARE NOT political appointments. Many of them were there under Bush and a few go back to Clinton. The president has some input, like interviewing the agents assigned to minor children, but for the most part the officers are assigned regardless of who is in the White House. I guess the difference is that no one wanted to get close to Bush….
Posted by: ChiDem | January 4, 2010, 5:19 pm 5:19 pm
Back to the article…..The overall attitude of security at the WH is a direct reflection of the President residing there. Period. Obama’s “extending his hand” doctrine has weakend all aspects of America’s security. Lax security at the WH is only one peephole into a bigger problem. Will some Obama supporter please tell me how much better off we are as a result of our we’ll-kiss-your-behind-if-you-promise-not-to-hate-us-PLEASE! handling of N. Korea, Iran, Venezuela, etc? He is weakening us to the point of putting our National Security at risk. Perhaps the next terrorist attack on U.S. soil will win Prs. Obama another Nobel!!
Posted by: RhinoSquid | January 4, 2010, 5:37 pm 5:37 pm
Anyone care to start a pool on how long it takes for the identity of this third person to leak out?
Posted by: GeorgeBurnsWasRight | January 4, 2010, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm
This is simply unbelievable.Six weeks out?!I’m sorry,but the tone is set from the top.You can’t blame the Secret Service if the White House can’t even manage a State Dinner-apparently nobody knew who was coming,nobody knows who came.I seriously fear for the safety of the First Family-can you imagine what will happen if this insanity continues? Mr. Obama better wise up and start firing the morons behind these cluster…!Mr. Obama has been extremely lucky,but if this continues tragedy is inevitable.
Posted by: Nephron | January 4, 2010, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm
too funny, these are the people fixing the banking, car and health industries and protecting us from terrorists.
and it took a mere 6 weeks to uncover. lolol
somewhere a Commodore computer is doing the database check
can you say incompetent Clinton retreads, illinois crooks and female unqualified homeland security head boys and girls.
God Help Us All
Posted by: theSwimmah | January 4, 2010, 6:16 pm 6:16 pm
For some reason this individuals — unlike the other members of the official Indian delegation — was not entered into the Worker And Visitor Entrance System (WAVES), the security list for those who enter the White House.—Quoted from article
——
This does not sound like a Secret Service screw-up. This sounds like somebody in the WH escorted somebody in, bypassing Secret Service checkpoints.
I’m thinking this person was to meet with someone on the staff or present that night without being registered. Some type of secret diplomacy meeting perhaps?
Questions: Who did this person talk with? What was the subject of the talk(s)? Why the secrecy?
Posted by: malcat | January 4, 2010, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm
Obama better tighten up the ship.
Posted by: Keith | January 4, 2010, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm
I thought from the very beginning that this whole deal was an inside deal that was a personal favor. Obama probably knows exactly what really went down.
Posted by: LongT | January 4, 2010, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm
These three got in “free” if they were offering a Mao Christmas tree ornament. What a way to run a presidential administration. Its a script right out of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” only the 52% who voted for Obama are cuckoo.
Posted by: temple62 | January 4, 2010, 7:05 pm 7:05 pm
The White House staff and Obama’s advisior’s can probable sneak anyone they want to into the White House. Secret Service agents are there to surround the President, and see that he is not harmed. If he wants to shake hands and talk to guests, the can do little or nothing about it. No security system will work if the people responsible do follow correct procedures and rules. If they can’t, or don’t, fire them.
Someone commented about global warning, and the fact that is probably not the fault of man.
I recall reading about a huge volcanic eruption a few years back, the it was said that it effected th climate for about four years.
Posted by: Lloyd Revalee | January 4, 2010, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm
Its a script right out of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” only the 52% who voted for Obama are cuckoo.
__________________________________
And the President is still being supported by about the same percentage. It’s you bigots who are on the outside – and will continue there.
Posted by: tierra | January 4, 2010, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm
This administration can’t protect a White House dinner and we are supposed to believe they are capable of protecting our country? Obama is a joke.
Posted by: CW | January 4, 2010, 7:35 pm 7:35 pm
This White House is more screwed-up than any other in our nation’s history. We have a President whose only talent is in running his mouth and an administration loaded with leftwing, incompetent loons.
Posted by: Ron | January 4, 2010, 7:37 pm 7:37 pm
Tierra
You need to go on RealClearpolitics and see Obama’s poll numbers.
Posted by: CW | January 4, 2010, 7:43 pm 7:43 pm
Tierra, concerning your comment: “It’s you bigots who are on the outside – and will continue there.”
Please understand, Tierra, there are those of us who have withstood the dogs and clubs of Selma and Birmingham;and, who have spent time in Mississippi, South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia jails; yet, we, on occasion oppose, criticize, disagree, etc with many things about the Obama Administration. But, in 2010, it probably does not matter what suffering one went through in the 60s to make what happened in 2008 possible. And, that, Tierra, is very sad.
Posted by: SelmaAla | January 4, 2010, 7:51 pm 7:51 pm
You need to go on RealClearpolitics and see Obama’s poll numbers.
______________________________
The President’s approval ratings have hung in just above or just below 50% for weeks now.
You have to remember that Reagan’s approval ratings fell to 35% during his first term.
Posted by: tierra | January 4, 2010, 8:37 pm 8:37 pm
This administration can’t protect a White House dinner and we are supposed to believe they are capable of protecting our country? Obama is a joke.
____________________________
Let’s see how the last administration did . .. Iran developed a secret nuclear facility on Bush’s watch, North Korea tested its first nuclear weapon on Bush’s watch, Bin Laden and al Qaeda escaped in Afghanistan on Bush’s watch, the al Qaeda supporters who apparently coached the Christmas Day bomber were released to Yemen of Bush’s watch, 9/11 happened on their watch, the shoe bomber happened on their watch . . . need I go on?
Posted by: tierra | January 4, 2010, 8:42 pm 8:42 pm
It’s more difficult for Fox News to get in the White House than it is these imposters who want to be famous!
Posted by: sunset trip | January 4, 2010, 9:21 pm 9:21 pm
need I go on?
————
Tierra, why is it when anyone criticizes President Obama about anything, your first response is to point like a child with “but Bush did…….?”
What do you feel about THIS article? No prior POTUS had anything to do with what happened the night of the Indian PM’s dinner….nothing.
Forget about the Salahis, the Social Secretary changed a policy she shouldn’t and then the SS made it worse by not insisting the couple wait til a member of her staff could come to the gate. Thank God they were just stupid people wanting publicity and had no sinister motive.
But what about the fact that someone who was cleared at the hotel, got into a transport vehicle with the Indian party, and then upon arrival at the WH was allowed unto the grounds without registeration in WAVES?
Nothing is said about where this person went on the grounds or even inside the WH. Nothing is said about the reason this person was ‘snuck’ unto the grounds. Who did he/she have contact with? What was the purpose of the contact?
Does that not bother you at all? If not, why are you so comfortable about this?
Posted by: malcat | January 4, 2010, 9:22 pm 9:22 pm
I’m surprised that India is not enraged with us for putting their PM in danger!
——-
I was wondering about that myself at first. Then decided he accepted our explanation for the Sahalis and ‘let it ride’.
Now, however, since this 3rd person was at the hotel with the Indian party and even rode to the WH with them, I’m wondering if they were just happy no one found this 3rd person.
Was the Indian PM aware of this 3rd person’s bypassing of security at the WH? Was he perhaps wanting this 3rd person’s presence to be kept secret?
I’m a rather skeptical person. After President Bush’s 2nd term, it’s gotten a lot worse to the point I trust no government entity.
I can’t wait to hear what comes of this? I hope the administration can come forward honestly and fully. President Obama promised transparency; I’m still waiting.
Posted by: malcat | January 4, 2010, 9:30 pm 9:30 pm
They each independently do their own thing, and dont have to tell each other what they’re doing.
——–
I think it’s time for a change!
Posted by: malcat | January 4, 2010, 9:32 pm 9:32 pm
tierra,can you give a single episode of anybody crashing a White House function under Bush? How about Clinton? How about Reagan?The fact that this happened with 3 people at a single occasion is shocking and inexcusable.If you really admire Mr. Obama you should be concerned and frankly frightened for his safety.If this ignorance of basic security procedures continues we will have a tragedy.
Posted by: Nephron | January 4, 2010, 10:07 pm 10:07 pm
It isn’t the crashers that should be reprimanded – it should be those that let them through. Set you guns on the real criminals here. Those guards ands ecurity people should be held for a crime.
Posted by: Chuck Akers | January 4, 2010, 10:31 pm 10:31 pm
tierra,can you give a single episode of anybody crashing a White House function under Bush? How about Clinton? How about Reagan?
______________________________________
It is not acceptable as far as I can tell. I don’t think other administrations were AS MUCH under this type of microscope.
It’s worth remembering, President Reagan was shot in the street by John Hinkley Jr.
John Hinkley Jr.’s family were acquaintances of Vice President George Bush and had made large contributions to his political campaign….Scott Hinckley, brother of John W. Hinckley Jr. was to have dined tonight in Denver at the home of Neil Bush, one of the Vice President’s sons….
Posted by: tierra | January 4, 2010, 11:51 pm 11:51 pm
These party crashers represent a grave danger to the US government. Within minutes either of them could have taken down the president and vice president by virtue of a handshake. These breaches of security are completely unacceptable.
Posted by: chris | January 5, 2010, 7:04 am 7:04 am
It is worth remembering that JFK was shot in the street by Lee Oswald.Neither Lee Oswald nor John Hinckley attended a state dinner at the White House.Your attempt at excusing this nonsense is pretty lame and illogical.John Wilkes Booth’s brother was a supporter of Abraham Lincoln,but that has absolutely nothing to do with Lincoln’s assasination.The lackluster security at the White House is going to get somebody killed.
Posted by: Nephron | January 5, 2010, 8:15 am 8:15 am
TIME FOR: CHANGING OF THE GUARDS!
FROM THE TOP, TO THE BOTTOM LINE!
Did Mr. Bush have this problem?
Mr. Clinton? Previous Bush?
Is it Security? Or is it conspieracy on
the new president? Whoes responsiblity is it to take care of the Queens, Kings, and other Presidents in the world, but the Guards of Security.
Blame it on techology, that’s lame, whatever happened to following the check list without question! STRUCTURED AGRESSIVE TRAINING, FOLLOW UP AND COMMUNICATION?
Now a days, everyone else is more important and could care less, plus you can’t tell anyone anything anymore, because they know it all. And that’s how things fail, and business shuts down.
Our President is “Our American President” and we should guard him like we have all others. Get with it, or get Fired!
Posted by: Mave Greene | January 5, 2010, 9:24 am 9:24 am
Is this a complete list of the party crashers? This is got to be the biggest joke in a long time. Even though this is a Secret Service screw-up. let us not forget that Home Land Security Director, Janet Napolitano is the big boss. Sort of leads you to believe that she knows nothing about what her job is about.Having been a resident of Arizona, she didn’t do much better as Governor.MARK MY WORD. THIS IS ONLY A SERIES OF TEST TO EVALUATE OUR SECURITY
UNDER OBAMA. SO FAR I’LL GIVE IT AN (F).
Posted by: Porter | January 5, 2010, 1:12 pm 1:12 pm
It is worth remembering that JFK was shot in the street by Lee Oswald.Neither Lee Oswald nor John Hinckley attended a state dinner at the White House.Your attempt at excusing this nonsense is pretty lame and illogical.
___________________________________
All of those instances took place under the responsibility of the Secret Service. Who says I’m trying to excuse anything? Unless there really is something we don’t know, these incidents should never have happened – same as the Reagan shooting on the street, and the assassination of JFK in the Bush dynasty hometown.
Posted by: tierra | January 5, 2010, 3:51 pm 3:51 pm
Hey, everybody’s a party crasher these days.
At the Copenhagen talks, Obama crashed a private meeting of leaders from China, India, and Brazil–and stayed despite Chinese objections. Smart Power, Baby!
Posted by: Ich Bin Ein Beginner | January 5, 2010, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm