Intruder Gets To Front Door Of The White House

The Secret Service is coming under renewed scrutiny after a man scaled the White House fence and made it all the way through the front door before he was apprehended.

President Barack Obama and his daughters had just left the White House on Friday evening when the intruder climbed the north fence, darted across the lawn and into the residence, where agents nabbed him.

The security breach triggered a rare evacuation of much of the White House. Secret Service officers drew their guns as they rushed staffers and journalists out a side door.

For the Secret Service, the incident was a devastating episode that prompted fresh questions about the agency and its ability to protect the president.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee on national security, called it ‘‘totally unacceptable’’ and said the incident was just one of a string of security failings on the Secret Service’s watch.

‘‘Unfortunately, they are failing to do their job,’’ said Chaffetz, R-Utah. ‘‘These are good men and women, but the Secret Service leadership has a lot of questions to answer.’’

‘‘Was the door open?’’ he added incredulously.

The Secret Service said the incident would be reviewed to ensure proper procedures were followed.