Barack Obama called the Secret Service agents embroiled in the Colombian sex scandal "knuckleheads" on Tuesday, as another group of operatives resigned.
Mr Obama defended the Secret Service in a pre-recorded interview with talk show host Jimmy Fallon, saying the agency shouldn't be discredited by a few "knuckleheads".
"The Secret Service, these guys are incredible," Mr Obama said. "They protect me, they protect our girls – a couple of knuckleheads shouldn't detract from that they do."
Just hours before the interview aired on US televisions, two more agents resigned, bringing the total number of men to have left the organisation over the scandal to nine.
One of the agents who reigned on Tuesday is believed to have been staying at the same hotel as Mr Obama, the Hilton, during the trip.
A third agent had his security clearance revoked, believed to be the first step in being removed from the company.
Speaking about what happened in Cartagena, where prostitutes were allegedly brought back to hotel rooms, he said: "What they were thinking, I don't know. That's why they're not there anymore."
The incident occurred this month shortly before Barack Obama arrived for a meeting of regional presidents.
Twelve Secret Service agents were investigated over the incident, along with 12 other military personnel.
One was cleared of misconduct but ordered to take administrative leave. Another two were cleared on Tuesday.
"At this point, all 12 have either been cleared of serious misconduct, resigned, retired, been notified of personnel actions to permanently revoke their security clearances, or have been proposed for permanent removal for cause," Assistant Director Paul Morrissey said in a statement.
"The Secret Service is committed to conducting a full, thorough and fair investigation in this matter, and will not hesitate to take appropriate action should any additional information come to light."
No comments:
Write comments