Washington, DC [US], July 16 (ANI): The White House was briefly placed under lockdown on Tuesday after a mobile phone was thrown over the North Lawn security fence, prompting a swift response from the US Secret Service.
The incident occurred around midday, when agents were alerted to an unidentified object being hurled over the fence onto the grounds. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed to reporters, “Somebody threw their phone over the fence,” and noted that immediate security measures were implemented.
Members of the press corps, who were waiting to interview Education Secretary Linda McMahon during her scheduled Fox News appearance, were quickly escorted into the James S. Brady Briefing Room as agents secured the area.
The Secret Service imposed a full lockdown of the White House grounds, and Pennsylvania Avenue was temporarily closed to all traffic. By 11:56 a.m., the lockdown was lifted and journalists were permitted to return to the North Lawn.
By 12:20 p.m., reporters, including ANI, had reassembled in the Palm Room ahead of President Donald Trump’s scheduled departure for an event in Pennsylvania.
The White House has yet to issue an official statement regarding the breach.
Tuesday’s incident adds to a series of recent security challenges for the Secret Service. In March, a young boy managed to breach the White House perimeter, forcing an agent to intervene and return him to his parents. The agency has faced increasing scrutiny over its security protocols in light of repeated breaches in recent months.
President Trump’s schedule remained unaffected by the brief lockdown, and his planned trip to Pennsylvania proceeded as scheduled.
(ANI)
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